[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E442-E443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ALEXANDRA LENNOX VAIL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Alexander 
``Al'' Lennox Vail, a longtime friend, who passed away on January 4, 
2000. He was 78. Vail was a California rancher, whose family had owned 
and managed Santa Rosa Island and its 54,000-acre cattle operation 
there for nearly a century.
  Vail was born November 24, 1921 in Los Angeles, California, thirty 
minutes after his twin brother Russ. The two brothers grew up playing 
on the island that their grandfather had purchased in 1902, with 
partner J.V. Vickers. At just 21 years old, Vail began working full-
time on Santa Rosa Island as a cowboy. In 1962, he became the general 
manager of the ranching operation.
  Vail and his twin brother continued to manage the ranching operation, 
off the coast of Santa Barbara, until 1998. At that time, the last 
cattle were removed under an agreement to protect the island's native 
plants. Since 1998, the Vails and the Vickers (the Vickers are silent 
partners) continued to run a commercial elk and deer hunting operation 
on the island, which Vail managed until his sudden death.
  Al will forever be remembered throughout the livestock community for 
his ethics and stewardship of the bounteous resources of an island that 
was in his family for almost 100 years.
  Vail is survived by his wife, Catherine ``Kay'' Sutherland Vail of 
Santa Barbara; his daughters, Nita Vail of Sacramento and Mary Vail of

[[Page E443]]

Moorpark; twin brother Russell Vail and sister Margaret Vail Woolley, 
and their families of Pasadena.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Alexander ``Al'' Lennox Vail 
for his dedication to the well-being of the animals and the land. Vail 
will be remembered by his family members and those who knew him for his 
integrity, honesty, and hard work. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
extending my condolences to the Vail family.

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