[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO WASHINGTON STATE CITIZEN DOUG SCOTT, 1997 RECIPIENT OF THE 
                      SIERRA CLUB JOHN MUIR AWARD

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a 
distinguished citizen of the great state of Washington, Mr. Doug Scott. 
Doug was recently recognized by the Sierra Club with the 105-year-old 
organization's highest award, the John Muir Award. The Sierra Club 
presents this award to honor individuals with a ``distinguished record 
of leadership--such as to continue John Muir's work of preservation and 
establishment of parks and wilderness.''
  Doug Scott has certainly perpetuated the vision and leadership of 
John Muir throughout his years of commitment to the environment. 
Beginning his career of dedication to the environment in 1967 by 
joining the Sierra Club, Doug moved from his first involvement in the 
public policy process to be one of the original founders of Earth Day. 
From 1973 to 1977 Doug was the Sierra Club's Northwest field 
representative. In 1980, Doug became the National Conservation Director 
of the Sierra Club and in 1988, the organization's Associate Executive 
Director. In 1990, Doug left the Sierra Club for the beautiful San Juan 
Islands in my state of Washington to direct the San Juan Community 
Theater in Friday Harbor. Doug is now the Executive Director of a 
local, grass-roots environmental organization, Friends of the San 
Juans.
  It is in this most recent capacity that I have come to most 
appreciate Doug's skills and abilities. Doug is an essential member of 
the Northwest Straits Citizen's Advisory Commission that I convened 
with Congressman Metcalf. This local citizen's advisory commission is 
designed to assess the resource protections needs and values of the 
Northwest Straits marine environment and to explore the best ways to 
provide protections for this exquisite natural area. Doug's 
participation in this process has been invaluable. His deep commitment 
to protection of the marine environment combined with his thoughtful, 
innovative, and pragmatic approach has provided real progress for the 
Commission as it works through its mandate. Doug's ability to work with 
individuals with differing idealogies and perspectives in a cooperative 
and productive manner is a true asset to the Commission, and to the 
Northwest Straits as well.
  In Doug's remarks at the Annual Awards Dinner, he said:

       Much as this award is personally gratifying. I prefer to 
     think of it as recognition for an era in the growth and 
     growing effectiveness of the Sierra Club and the citizen 
     environmental movement. Each achievement during that era was 
     the work of many hands. This award is for all of the Sierra 
     Club volunteers and other activists that have proven that in 
     this democracy, working together, an engaged citizenry can 
     make a tremendous difference. I discovered the power of 
     citizen activism over 25 years ago in the Sierra Club and now 
     I see its impact every day in my work in the San Juan 
     Islands.

  The Sierra Club has chosen well in awarding Doug Scott the John Muir 
Award. I applaud their decision and I applaud Doug Scott. I thank him 
for his commitment to the environment of the San Juan Islands, the 
Northwest Straits, Washington state, and the United States. Great work, 
Doug. Congratulations.
  Mr. President, I ask that the nominating statement for Doug Scott by 
Bruce Hamilton, Conservation Director of the Sierra Club be printed in 
the Record.
  The statement follows:

         Doug Scott Receives the Sierra club's John Muir Award


 nominating statement by Bruce Hamilton, conservation director, sierra 
                                  club

       Doug has been a mentor and an inspiration to an entire 
     generation of environmental leaders, myself included. I feel 
     so lucky to have learned my skills at the side of this 
     master.
       Doug had a way of turning dreams and visions into reality. 
     Ed Wayburn had the vision for an Alaska Lands Act, but it was 
     Doug Scott who pulled together and directed the 8 year 
     campaign that passed the largest land protection bill in 
     history. Rupert Cutler may have conceived of the RARE II 
     wilderness review, but it was Doug Scott who marshalled the 
     resources and provided the leadership to steer dozens of RARE 
     II wilderness bills through the Congress. When states like 
     Utah couldn't even boast a single wilderness area in the 
     entire state, Doug packaged a group of areas together into 
     the Endangered American Wilderness Act and mobilized a 
     national campaign to pass it. Doug also developed the 
     strategy that enabled us to pass the Superfund (remember the 
     Superactivist we mailed out of SF every Friday?), the Clean 
     Air Act Amendments (remember the Vento-Green medals?), and 
     other anti-pollution campaigns. He was the inspiration and 
     strategist for the California Desert Protection Act even 
     though it did not pass until after he had left the Club.
       Doug was also the most inspirational and motivational 
     speaker within the Club, flying tens of thousands of miles 
     every year to appear at Chapter annual meetings and retreats 
     to preach about the power of the grassroots and the 
     importance of combating apathy and cynicism. He was also one 
     of the funniest leaders the Club has known, the source and 
     subject of jokes and follies songs. He was the spark behind 
     the national conservation work of the Club for 15 years.
       The Club has been blessed with a series of powerful, 
     inspirational, smart, and articulate leaders that exemplify 
     the best traits of our founder, John Muir. From the late 
     1970's to the early 1990's Doug Scott lead the Club in the 
     spirit of John Muir. He deserves the Club's highest 
     conservation honor for his service, accomplishments, and 
     inspiration.

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