Recognizing Chris Hauck, President and CEO of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

RECOGNIZING CHRIS HAUCK, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION

HON. JERRY MORAN OF KANSAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding businessman, and a man who is proud to be a "Kansan by choice," Chris Hauck.

On June 1, Chris will retire from his position as president and CEO of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation in Hays, Kansas. His retirement feels like the end of an era, but if I know Chris, it is only the beginning of a whole new chapter in his life, a chapter that will be full of time spent with loved ones, and time given to the community.

Although Chris is not a native Kansan, he soon realized that Hays is a place where he could raise his family, be active in the community, and put his business talents to good use. I have known Chris Hauck since his arrival in Hays. As soon as he took charge, Chris began leading Sunflower Electric into a new era of financial success. Through an intensive reorganization of the company's debt structure and an aggressive marketing campaign, Sunflower Electric has seen a 152 percent increase in sales to member electric systems.

Chris has been active in his industry, aside from his formal duties at Sunflower Electric. He is a past president of the Western Fuels Association, and is still a member of its board of directors. He is also a past president of the Greening Earth Society. Chris co-founded the Western Power Producers, a regional coalition of western cooperative utilities, and served as its president for a time. He has also been involved in both the MOKAN and Southwest Power Pools, and the National G & T Manager's Association Technical Advisory Committee.

This man's influence and expertise has influenced his industry on the global level as well. Chris served on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Global Climate Task Force. During his time on the task force, Chris was part of a committee that, in 1993, influenced the United National Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Apart from his professional life, Chris is deeply involved in prison ministry. He travels weekly to Ellsworth Correctional Facility along with his wife, Rita. Rita and Chris recruit inmates to participate in the Prison Fellowship Ministries' Inner Change Freedom Initiative. The Haucks believe wholeheartedly in the prison ministry, and I commend them for their devotion to bringing God's word to the inmates in Ellsworth.

Not only has Chris brought Sunflower Electric to new heights, and not only has he spent countless hours giving the gift of faith to Kansas inmates, but Chris Hauck is also a great family man. Chris and Rita are the proud parents of two remarkable sons, Les and Christian. Both of these young men are graduates of the United States Air Force Academy. Les, now a
captain, has returned from the Persian Gulf and continues to serve his country at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona as an F-16 instructor pilot. Christian, a first lieutenant, is based in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to serving as a hospital facilities engineer, Christian plays on the United States Combined Armed
Forces Rugby Team. Later this year. Chris will be joining his son, and the team, to travel with them as a videographer.

Chris Hauck has been many things to many people. At one time, he was a big-city guy. Now, he is a self-proclaimed "Kansan by choice." In his words, Kansans, "have much to be thankful for, and little to complain about." I know I am certainly thankful for Chris-for his contributions to the western Kansas economy, for his commitment to ministering, and for his friendship. Thank you, Chris, for your service. I wish you all the best in your retirement.