TITLE: Congratulating Edmund G. Archuleta on his retirement as president and CEO of El Paso Water Utilities.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Edmund G. Archuleta on his retirement as president and CEO of El Paso Water Utilities.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Edmund G. Archuleta is retiring as the president and chief executive officer of El Paso Water Utilities on January 9, 2013, drawing to a close nearly a quarter-century of outstanding service to that institution; and WHEREAS, Mr. Archuleta earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from New Mexico State University as well as a master's degree in management from the University of New Mexico; he is registered as a professional engineer in Texas, New Mexico, and Iowa; and WHEREAS, Joining EPWU in January 1989, Mr. Archuleta has been responsible for implementing the policies of the Public Service Board to manage all water and wastewater services in the El Paso metropolitan area; during his tenure, EPWU built the world's largest inland desalination plant, the nation's largest arsenic treatment facility, the TecH20 Center, and a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory; it also instituted conservation and education programs that have significantly reduced water usage and contracted a 40-year water supply agreement with the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; and WHEREAS, Mr. Archuleta also played a vital role in the creation of the Consortium for High Tech Investigations of Water and Wastewater, the Center for Inland Desalination Systems, and the Multi-State Salinity Coalition, and he helped create the master plans for the city's storm water management and for the use of Public Service Board properties in northeast and west El Paso; under his leadership, EPWU has earned a strong bond rating; and WHEREAS, This highly respected expert was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, and in 2008, he was called on to develop a publication on the reuse of water to help meet future needs by recognized leaders in the fields of engineering and science; he has served as chair of the American Water Works Association Research Foundation and as a trustee of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the WateReuse Association, and he has been active with the Water Environment Federation, Water for People, and the Texas Water Conservation Association, among others; and WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, he has found time to give back to his community through his involvement with the United Way, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the Rotary Club, and the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce; he serves as well on the engineering advisory committees of New Mexico State University and The University of Texas at El Paso; and WHEREAS, Mr. Archuleta's dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have greatly benefited the citizens of El Paso and earned him widespread respect and admiration, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career well spent as he embarks upon the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Edmund G. Archuleta on his retirement as president and CEO of El Paso Water Utilities and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Archuleta as an expression of high esteem by the Texas House of Representatives. Pickett Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 71 was adopted by the House on February 18, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House