On the recordDecember 18, 2015
today I wish to honor Bob Ford, who is retiring from Senate service. Bob is a valued, longtime member of my staff and dear friend. In September of 2002, Bob joined my staff as the State director for business, economic, and rural development. Bob, originally from the Sunny Slope area of Canyon County, brought to the position a profound knowledge of rural and economic development shaped by his service as the State manager of rural development for the Idaho Department of Commerce, where he worked for 17 years in various capacities. To say that Bob assisted me in a number of issue areas is an understatement. He has worked on far too many efforts to count. In addition to his work on rural and economic development issues, he has worked on initiatives related to housing, labor, trade, veterans, energy, banking, budget, taxes, immigration, water resources, transportation, and much more. Highlights of his contributions as a member of my staff include his successful work to stop the transfer of the terminal approach control radar, known as TRACON, from the Boise airport. Bob spent countless hours working with affected parties to build an overwhelming justification for retaining TRACON at the Boise airport. He also worked heavily on trying to restore a key Amtrak corridor between the Midwest, the Intermountain States, and the Pacific Northwest.…





