[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E643-E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GULF OF THE FARALLONES 
                       NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the 
creation of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 
(GFNMS) and I rise today to pay tribute to this very unique marine 
Sanctuary off of the San Francisco coast. The Sanctuary includes 1,235 
square miles of wetlands, intertidal, and deep sea resources and is 
home to a diverse population of fish, invertebrates, algae, marine 
mammals and seabirds. Throughout the year, The sanctuary is either the 
#1 or #2 spot in the world for numbers of endangered blue and humpback 
whales. In addition, the Sanctuary is the home for 33 species of marine 
mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoises. In 1991, the area 
was designated by the United Nations as a United Nations biosphere 
reserve giving it global importance and status. It is situated in one 
of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
  Management of this vibrant marine sanctuary has been led by an 
extraordinary individual named Ed Ueber. Ed has served as chief manager 
and steward of the Farallones since 1990. On the occasion of the 20th 
Anniversary of the GFNMS, I join the people of the Bay Area in 
extending our heart felt appreciation to Ed Ueber for his extraordinary 
work on behalf of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. 
As Manager, Ed has made it his mission not only to protect and preserve 
our nation's marine life but to bring ocean life to everyone's lives. 
Ed has succeeded in building public support and enthusiasm for the 
national marine sanctuary. His efforts to involve the public has led to 
the creation of the Nation's first sanctuary support organization--the 
Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association.
  Ed has also created an extensive volunteer program--The Beach Watch 
Program which enlists volunteers for beach and offshore monitoring. 
These volunteers actively participate in the monitoring of beaches and 
marine life, including, seals, birds and whales. In 1993, the Beach 
Watch Program graduated the first 40 volunteers. In 1997, the Sanctuary 
Education Awareness and Long-term Stewardship (SEALS) program trained 
volunteers in harbor seal monitoring and interpretation. In 2000, there 
were 260 volunteers collecting data, responding to oil spills, 
educating the public, and entering data.
  In the Bay Area, we are blessed by the Marine Sanctuary and its 
steadfast steward, Ed Ueber. Ed serves the Sanctuary and the people of 
the Bay Area in the most exemplary way through his careful management 
of the resources and his special gift of sharing the importance of 
protecting this precious marine environment.
  Congratulations to Ed Ueber and the Gulf of the Farallones National 
Marine Sanctuary on its 20th Anniversary!


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