TRIBUTE TO KEVIN L. SHAFER, P.E., RECIPIENT OF THE MILWAUKEE WATER COUNCIL'S THIRD ANNUAL ``WATER WARRIOR OF THE YEAR'' AWARD; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 126
(Extensions of Remarks - July 25, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO KEVIN L. SHAFER, P.E., RECIPIENT OF THE MILWAUKEE WATER
COUNCIL'S THIRD ANNUAL ``WATER WARRIOR OF THE YEAR'' AWARD
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HON. GWEN MOORE
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kevin Shafer, the
long serving Executive Director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage
District (MMSD) and a recent recipient of the Milwaukee Water Council's
third annual ``Water Warrior of the Year Award,'' which is given to
acknowledge those in the water industry who advance the importance of
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) education.
MMSD provides wastewater treatment reclamation and flood management,
among other services, for about 1.1 million customers in 28 communities
in the Greater Milwaukee Area
The award acknowledges Kevin's dedication to growing MMSD's
internship program which provides students with hands-on learning
experience to inspire and educate students about future water-related
careers in areas such as water quality protection, laboratory services,
engineering, construction and sustainability. According to the CEO of
the Water Council, ``When it comes to supporting and nurturing our next
generation of water professionals we always know that Kevin will say an
emphatic yes when we ask him to do more.''
For over 25 years, MMSD has grown its internship program which now
hires 25 students every summer. For example, during the summer of 2018,
MMSD worked with the Water Council to place two African-American junior
engineering students from Tuskegee University to work as interns with a
goal of increasing the number of African-Americans pursuing water as a
career. This is just one of several efforts by MMSD to invest in and
develop a diverse water workforce in the Milwaukee area.
Kevin Shafer has served as executive director of MMSD since 2002.
Throughout his career at MMSD, Kevin has helped to make the utility a
leader when it comes to the adoption and use of green infrastructure,
has been instrumental in efforts to transform MMSD 's stormwater
management system, and continues to foster innovative means of
protecting the District's water supply.
Prior to this position, Kevin worked in the private sector at an
international engineering firm and spent six years with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Currently, Kevin is a Chair on both the United
States' Water Alliance Board of Directors and the Water Council Board
of Directors. Kevin was formerly President of the National Association
of Clean Water Agencies.
It is an honor to recognize Kevin Shafer for his dedication to the
residents served by MMSD and in being an innovative water industry
leader who is constantly trying to find new ways to deal with the
challenges facing MMSD. I applaud the high level of professionalism and
service that he has brought to MMSD and have no doubt he will continue
to serve our community in the same distinguished manner as he has done
throughout his career.
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