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<br />MEI!DER['HlP BULLET HI
<br />WATER DEvEICP~<~EN1f ~}~cOCJAfrrON OF
<br />SOU'rl~~ rit'T2'~~X GCJI..:~H.fi.DO
<br />129 l'JE~T NINr;-;: S'l'REET
<br />PUEBLO, COLORADO
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<br />DEAR MEMBERS AND INTERESTED FR IEwnS:
<br />
<br />There are many reasons for our not having report0d to you for many weeks. We had
<br />many contacts to make, some rath'H' difficult problems and some decisions to make.
<br />
<br />Your Executive Committee, and at various tir.~s key people, have n~t almost weekly
<br />for the past few llIonLhs, sometimes only by phone conferences and again have gotten
<br />together for m~ny hours at a time~ Directors and Advisory Committee met last week.
<br />
<br />It has been impossible to get our report out of the Bureau of the Budget, likely due
<br />to the great volume 01' work which that Bureau must handle. Your Executive Committee
<br />decided to ask introduction of our legislation, des"9ite Budget. The decision was
<br />given great thought and t.he advice of friends such a~~ Senators Johnson and Millikin,
<br />Secretary Chapman, Congressman Chenoweth and others was asked and seriously studied.
<br />We also visited with Secretary Br~nnan.
<br />
<br />Senators Johnson and Millikin asked and received authority from the U. S. Senators,
<br />on the 6th to have our S.enate Docmnent printed. i'he printers proofs should have been
<br />released for proof reading March 14, and we hope to accomplish that task on March
<br />17th, return the proofs for printing that day., have the D'Jcument printed by the 21st,
<br />and introduce the legislatton on the 24th. Legislat.ion will be presented the Senate
<br />by Johnson and Millikin, and the Congress by Chenoweth. 'rhe three have wholeheartedl;}
<br />worked with us and are enthusiastic about the sponsorship.
<br />
<br />UNDERSTAND that the present legislation asks only for authorization, and that we must.
<br />after hurdling this step, C0me back and ask for an appropriation. This is expected
<br />to be a shorter session 'than usual, of the two Houses, due to election year. This
<br />is one reason that we reached our decision as to immedi~te action. ~e hope, but are
<br />not sure, that our bill will be referred to proper committees within ten days, and
<br />that we can have hearings during the next, several weeks.
<br />
<br />17 of us met in Judge Clifford Stone's office Mlli~ch 14, for the purpose of starting
<br />preparation of luaterial to be given these important crnnmittees, for \~ wish to have
<br />all evidence as perfect as possible, if we gain the Hearings. Among the 17, we had
<br />representatives of the REA's, CIO, AFL, Soil Conservation and Production Marketing
<br />groups, cattlemen, private industry., hirmicipal and nater district.s, state and Federal
<br />officials and our attorney. Jobs were assigned all, and same not, present \'lere also
<br />drafted. TIe expect to get the men, assigned tasks, together in Pueblo in early April
<br />for first discussion of our facts and figures irr~ended to support our request for
<br />authorization 01' the Frying Pan-Arkansas.
<br />
<br />We are told that Co~uittee hearings are not Gnly interesting, but sometimes tqke
<br />considerable time, and also that we should prepare to present 15 or more witnesses.
<br />This we are readying ourselves for.
<br />
<br />It is going to take a sizeable chunk of that Igreen stuffl called money to complete
<br />our program and the writer expects others in the organization to layout a financial
<br />program to be supported by our members which will carry us thru.
<br />
<br />We have worked together for .almost. eight years amI. now can f;ee the possible fulfill-
<br />ment of our hopes -------- a better Arkansas Valley, stronger agriculture and
<br />industry, more stable and greater job possibilities and therefor an improved national
<br />economy. We can't derive the benefits for another few years even if everything break:
<br />just right ------- BUT LETS KEEP HORKING AS A TEAM and gain our long desired goal.
<br />Shall We?
<br />
<br />Its been wonderful ~o have the wholehearted support
<br />of almost all the people in the VALU~Y.
<br />
<br />Sincerely,
<br />
<br />Is/Damian Ducy
<br />President
<br />Yjater Development Association
<br />of Southeastern Colorado
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