Press Releases

WICHITA—Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), along with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, Sedgwick County Commission Chair David Dennis, and Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell, recognized the accomplishments of M.S. "Mitch" Mitchell today at a dedication ceremony for the renamed flood control project he supervised. Congressman Estes also presented Mitchell's wife, Pat Mitchell, with a copy of the legislation that officially renamed the floodway.

"Because of Mitchell's steadfastness, even when others doubted the project's future success, Mitchell earned the appropriate nickname of 'Big Ditch Mitch,'" said Rep. Estes. "After his passing in March of 2017, local leaders agreed that our community should honor him for his years of commitment to Wichita and Sedgwick County. That's why I was proud to introduce legislation in 2017 to formally rename the flood control project the M.S. 'Mitch' Mitchell Floodway."

Congressman Ron Estes introduced the legislation to rename the floodway in the U.S. House of Representatives July 25, 2017, following Mitchell's passing March 11, 2017. It passed the House by unanimous consent Sept. 26, 2018, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent Dec. 19, 2018. President Trump signed the bill Dec. 21, 2018, officially renaming the former Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project the M.S. "Mitch" Mitchell Floodway.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.