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“TRIBUTE TO VALORIE J. WATKINS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SENATOR LARRY CRAIG” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S13306-S13307 on Sept. 11, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO VALORIE J. WATKINS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SENATOR LARRY
CRAIG
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding staff member of mine, Valorie J. Watkins who has served diligently as my regional director in eastern Idaho over the last several years.
Valorie's tenure as a congressional staff member has been long and distinguished. She has worked in the U.S. Congress for close to 25 years but now moves on to another position as director of alumni relations at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.
I have enjoyed working with Valorie over the years. Her leadership, insightful recommendations, and attitude toward serving others have been indispensable to my responsibility of effectively serving the great people of the State of Idaho.
Valorie was born in Pocatello, ID. A long time resident of eastern Idaho, she graduated from Pocatello High School and received her degree from Idaho State University in 1966.
In 1966 as a bright-eyed and enthusiastic graduate of Idaho State University, she left Pocatello and boarded a plans for Washington, DC and arrived in our Nation's capital without having yet obtained a job. She was quickly hired by the Democratic Congressman from Idaho, Compton White Jr. After Congressman White's defeat in 1966, she immediately came on board Republican Congressman George Hansen's staff. From 1967 to 1969 Valorie proved to be an outstanding staff member for the Congressman and excelled in this capacity. In 1969 she returned with her husband Bill to Pocatello and became a teacher in the local school system and was involved in local education issues.
In 1973, her knowledge and work experience helped her to land a position as district director with one of the great leaders of Idaho, my predecessor, Senator James A. McClure. In this capacity she came to be well respected and looked upon for advice by Senator McClure. She worked for Senator McClure until his retirement in 1991.
Valorie Watkins' work for the people of Idaho is earmarked by her astute ability to keep in close contact with constituents by being involved in her community. She served in many capacities over the years in Pocatello; she has done a immense amount of work with the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, serving on over eight committees, including serving as a member of the board of directors from 1993 to 1996. She has been heavily involved in the Soroptimist International of Pocatello, from which she received several awards and also served as its president from 1993 to 1994.
In the 16 county region of which she oversaw, Valorie has come to be well respected by many leaders on both sides of the political isle. Valorie has traveled throughout southeast Idaho to small communities like Preston, Montpelier, Soda Springs, and Malad and gained the respect of many Idahoans because of her help. Many leaders have sought her help and advice, including mayors, city councilman, county commissioners, educators and administrators, and Idaho State representatives. She is also well respected by many of the Federal Government agency heads in the area, and has worked closely with some of those individuals to resolve trying cases.
Whenever southeast Idahoans have sought help from my office with a problem with a Federal agency, they most likely have found it with Valorie Watkins. In a more memorable and recent incident, Valorie took the lead in my office's involvement with Tom Johansen, a Pocatello scrap metal dealer who was brought into the national spotlight when he unknowingly bought several thousand tons of sensitive nuclear hardware and blueprints from the Department of Energy at an auction. Valorie's involvement with the case and persistence played a part in forcing the DOE to provide an equitable resolution in what might have otherwise been a disaster for Mr. Johansen.
Valorie's service to the people of Idaho I believe can be summed up from an editorial written by the editor of the Preston Idaho Citizen, a local small town newspaper in eastern Idaho:
Over the years while Valorie was an aid to Senator Jim McClure and to Senator Larry Craig, she has been a wonderful intermediary for just about anyone who had a challenge that concerned the Federal Government. She is one of the most personable persons that we know and we have been so grateful for her listening ear and her assistance in cases where there has been a need for contact with the Federal Government. Valorie Watkins is most approachable. . . . We see her move as a gain for Idaho State University and a loss for Senator Larry Craig!
And so, Mr. President, as Valorie brings to a close her long and productive career in service to the people of Idaho and this Nation, I wish her and her husband Bill nothing but the very best wishes for happiness and prosperity.
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