[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SPECIAL ORDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 7, 1997, and under a previous order of the House, the following 
Members will be recognized for 5 minutes each.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the outstanding work 
of Lou Hinds, who has managed the J.N. ``Ding'' Darling National 
Wildlife Refuge on my home Island of Sanibel for the last 7 years. It 
came as no surprise when I heard that Lou was recently named ``Refuge 
Manager of the Year'' by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. He 
will receive his award in Washington on Monday, March 17. Throughout 
his service, Lou has taken a partnership approach to managing the 
refuge, involving local students, residents, tourists and community 
leaders. The community outreach program under Lou's direction is one of 
the most innovative in the country and many other refuges are working 
to replicate it.
  The involvement of the community has been crucial to the success of 
the refuge. Realizing that the current visitor's center cannot 
adequately meet demand, refuge volunteers are spearheading a drive to 
improve the visitor's center through the use of private funds.
  The refuge also works extensively with local students. Most notably, 
the Junior Naturalist Program, an educational partnership with an 
elementary school adjacent to the refuge, has been a terrific success.
  This community-oriented approach has benefitted the refuge in terms 
of more space, equipment, and volunteers, but more important, it has 
allowed the refuge to serve as an educational resource for residents of 
southwest Florida and our many visitors from around the world. As a 
result, many have learned firsthand that by pursuing a sensible 
approach to safeguarding our resources, we can maintain a reasonable 
balance between growth and environmental protection.
  Lou's work has made ``Ding'' Darling one of the finest refuges in the 
Nation, and I know that I speak for southwest Florida in expressing 
gratitude for the time and energy he has given so enthusiastically over 
the years. I want to extend sincere congratulations for a well-deserved 
honor.

                          ____________________