[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1398]]



                   COMMEMORATING ROGER TORY PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 30, 1996

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Mr. Roger Tory 
Peterson, a long-time resident of Old Lyme, CT., who passed away on 
July 28 at the age of 87. Mr. Peterson, often referred to as the modern 
Audubon, produced the first Wildlife-related field guide designed for 
ordinary Americans. In so doing, he revolutionized how citizens across 
this country experience, view, and appreciate our bountiful natural 
resources.
  Mr. Peterson was born in Jamestown, NY, in 1908. He explained years 
later how a personal experience with an injured bird and encouragement 
from his seventh-grade science teacher led him to begin drawing birds. 
He recalled that soon thereafter he was drawing and photographing 
virtually every bird in sight. His big break came in 1934 when William 
Vogt, the first editor of Audubon Magazine, approached him about 
illustrating a pocket-sized guide to North American birds. This request 
resulted in the first Peterson Field Guide, which catalogued birds of 
the eastern United States. Initially, publishers showed little interest 
in the publication. In the end, Houghton Mifflin agreed in Mr. 
Peterson's words ``to take a chance on me'' and printed 2,000 copies. 
Book stores sold each and every volume in about a week and were soon 
clamoring for additional copies.
  The ``Peterson Field Guide'' was not the first publication providing 
detailed descriptions of birds and other wildlife. We are all familiar 
with the pioneering works of John James Audubon. What set Peterson's 
work apart from previous publications was how it blended intricate 
detail, demanded by biologists, ornithologists, and other scientists, 
with easy to understand narrative and arrows identifying the 
distinguishing features of particular species. Mr. Peterson remarked 
the use of arrows seemed so simple, but no one had used them before. 
The first field guide evolved into a series of 48 volumes spanning a 
host of topics, including wildflowers, bird songs, shells, butterflies, 
mammals, rocks and minerals, animal tracks, fish, and stars and 
planets. Mr. Peterson illustrated, wrote or edited each and every 
volume. Every new ``Field Guide'' followed the original format 
combining detailed illustrations with easy to understand explanations 
and commonsense hints to assist nonscientists in identifying particular 
species. To date, more than 8 million copies of the ``Peterson Field 
Guide'' to eastern United States birds alone have been published. It 
remains the most popular guide to birds more than 60 years after the 
first edition was released.
  Roger Tory Peterson helped millions of Americans to gain a better 
appreciation of the natural assets which make our country special. 
President Jimmy Carter recognized Mr. Peterson's contributions to the 
country by awarding him the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest 
civilian honor, in 1980. The President noted Mr. Peterson had 
``furthered the study, appreciation and protection of birds the world 
over.'' Mr. Peterson's contributions have been recognized worldwide, 
including two nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. He received 
honorary degrees from 22 universities. Recently, The New York City 
Public Library listed the ``Peterson Field Guide'' as one of the most 
influential books of the past century. The Roger Tory Peterson 
Institute for Natural History was formed in 1984 as a national center 
for teacher enhancement and training. Among other things, the institute 
assists teachers in incorporating natural resources in their 
curriculums and serves as a museum to display Mr. Peterson's works.

  Mr. Speaker, I know Americans from coast to coast join me in 
extending our condolences to Virginia Peterson and the other members of 
the Peterson family. Mr. Peterson's legacy will endure through the 
``Peterson Field Guide'' and his numerous other works spanning six 
decades. Roger Tory Peterson was an extraordinary individual who helped 
Americans better understand and appreciate their natural surroundings. 
We will fondly remember him when we pick up the ``Peterson Field 
Guide'' to identify a bird at the feeder, a flower in the woods, a 
shell on the beach, or a star high above.

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