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“IN HONOR OF NEW MEXICO STATE TREASURER JAMES B. LEWIS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1792-E1793 on Dec. 10, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN HONOR OF NEW MEXICO STATE TREASURER JAMES B. LEWIS
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HON. BEN RAY LUJAN
of new mexico
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize James B. Lewis, who is retiring after a career devoted to public service. Most recently, Mr. Lewis served as New Mexico State Treasurer, a position he held for the last 8 years.
Mr. Lewis' long and distinguished career includes serving our country in the Army and serving New Mexico in many notable positions, such as Chief of Staff to Governor Bruce King, Chief Clerk and Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico State Corporation Commission, Director and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, President of the National Association of State Treasurers, and immediate past President of the National Association of State Auditors, Controllers, and Treasurers. In 1986, Mr. Lewis became the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in New Mexico, and is also the first and only African American to be appointed and then elected to office three times.
His tenure in the Treasurer's office will be remembered for his efforts to increase transparency and raise public awareness and understanding of this important office and the role it plays in our great state. Treasurer Lewis automated the warrant and collateral compliance system, established the Remote Electronic Banking System, signed the first joint Powers Agreement enabling the Ramah Navajo Chapter to invest in the Local Government Investment Pool, and implemented the new state Linked Deposit program.
The State Treasury plays a vital role in protecting state monies deposited in New Mexico's financial institutions and promoting a stable state economy, and as Treasurer, Mr. Lewis led that effort with distinction. While Mr. Lewis' retirement is a loss for the state of New Mexico, I wish him all the best as he embarks on this next chapter, and I congratulate him on his distinguished career.
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