Recognizing John Chatburn

Floor Speech

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Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Chatburn. John is retiring after nearly 30 years of public service in Idaho, but his love of our great state didn't start there. He grew up on a family ranch in Albion and was well known on the local rodeo circuit as a young man. He started his political career in 1995 as the Energy and Natural Resource Policy Advisor for Governor Phil Batt. John wore many hats, including Deputy Administrator for the Idaho Department of Agriculture.

A large part of his career was spent working for Governor C.L. `Butch' Otter. He served as his Administrator for the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Some of his responsibilities in this capacity included being a member of the U.S. Department of Energy/State Energy Advisory Board, chairman of the Western Interstate Energy Board and co- chairman on the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation. There were many other energy related boards and commissions that he served on and represented Idaho's interests.

He also worked for Governor Brad Little as Administrator of the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources and was appointed by him to serve on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

I have known John for a very long time, but I had the opportunity to work closely with him on the Gateway West Project. John represented the state's interests in the plan to create a much-needed power transmission line that spanned a vast section of the state. In the end, we were successful in creating a diverse collaboration between stakeholders that included the World Center for Birds of Prey, Idaho Power Company, the Bureau of Land Management and the citizens of Idaho--something we can all be proud of.

I am not sure what John is going to do next, but it better include pampering his incredible wife Linda who's put up with him for over 40 years. I thank Mr. Chatburn for his service.

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