CONGRATULATING MARK PEPPER ON HIS RETIREMENT

CONGRATULATING MARK PEPPER ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)] [House] [Page H2666] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING MARK PEPPER ON HIS RETIREMENT (Ms. HAGEMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mark Pepper on his retirement from the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems after 20 years of dedicated service. Mr. Pepper joined the association in 2006, 4 years after his return to the Cowboy State. Mr. Pepper then spent the next two decades helping Wyoming's communities to navigate many challenges inherent in providing water to rural areas: drought, distance, overregulation, and funding demands. Wyoming is unique, being the ninth largest State in terms of landmass, while also being the least populated. To say that we are a rural state is an understatement, with 92 percent of our water systems serving communities of 500 or fewer people. Mark not only has a deep understanding of the challenges associated with rural water delivery, but he also has the skills to work effectively to find solutions to meet them. He has been a relentless advocate for our rural water users, constantly seeking the resources needed to expand infrastructure and maintain existing systems. We appreciate Mr. Pepper's service and wish him well in retirement. He will be missed. ____________________