California Water Association Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Rep. Cal Dooley

Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) President Jerry Gladbach today presented ACWA's Lifetime Achievement Award to Representative Cal Dooley (D-Fresno) during the association's annual conference in Washington, D.C. Dooley represents the 20th congressional district in California's Central Valley, encompassing parts of Fresno, Kings and Kern Counties.

"Since his election in 1990, Congressman Dooley has been an advocate for our state's water users, and for the farming industry that helps propel California's economy," said ACWA President Jerry Gladbach. "For these 14 years, he has consistently reached across Washington's partisan divide and been at the center of events that have reshaped the Central Valley."

Representative Dooley has represented the water community in key legislative battles, such as the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (or CVPIA) in 1992 and the reauthorization of the Reclamation Reform Act. ACWA also recognizes the vital role he continues to play in legislation affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, efforts to stabilize state water supplies, and providing oversight of the federal wildlife agencies.

Cal Dooley is a fourth-generation San Joaquin Valley farmer and partner in Dooley Farms of the Hanford-Visalia area. Representative Dooley attended public schools in Hanford, graduating from Hanford High School in 1972, earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from UC Davis, and a Master's degree in Management from Stanford University.

"California is a much better place because of Rep. Dooley's service in Congress," said Gladbach. "We're sorry to see him retire, but we wish him all the best."

Source: Association of California Water Agencies