[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF DR. MICHAEL MULLIN, PHD AND DR. MIA JEAN TEGNER, PHD.

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I would like to take the 
opportunity to recognize and honor two exceptional research scientists 
from one of the world's finest oceanographic research facilities who 
lost their lives in recent weeks. Both were two of the brightest stars 
at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California.
  Michael Mullin, a research biologist at Scripps, and undergraduate 
professor at the University of California, San Diego, died December 
19th of complications following surgery. He was 63 years old.
  His research over the past 36 years at Scripps has included the study 
of phytoplankton, zooplankton and larval fish in the marine food web.
  He was the author of more than 70 scientific publications, including 
his own book ``Webs and Scales.'' He also served as chief editor of the 
scientific journal ``Fisheries Oceanography.''
  Dr. Mullin's personal sense of the social and moral obligations of 
science made him a true leader in undergraduate programs at UCSD and at 
Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He was as committed to the 
education of young students as he was to the practice of science and he 
will be greatly missed.
  Mia Jean Tegner, a research marine biologist at Scripps Institution 
of Oceanography since 1969, died Sunday, January 7th in a scuba diving 
accident off the San Diego coast. She was 53 years old.
  An experienced scuba diver, Dr. Tegner made more than 4,000 dives 
throughout the world during her 31 years at Scripps. Her research 
focused on the ecology of kelp forest communities and near shore marine 
resources. Her most recent research included studies of the effects of 
El Nino and La Nina events on the coastal ecosystem.
  Also socially active and committed to the marine environment, Mia 
Tegner helped to guide the City of San Diego in developing public 
policy based on science as it related to ocean pollution. Her work led 
the way in focusing the nation's attention to the true impacts of human 
development on the health of our marine environment.
  As we take the time to honor the work of Dr. Michael Mullin and Dr. 
Mia Tegner we must also reflect on their commitment to providing us 
with a better understanding of our world and our relationship with it.
  I am pleased to recognize and salute these great scientists as two of 
our nation's outstanding citizens and noble public servants.

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