[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1809-E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO MARY R. WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
selfless public service of an individual who has committed herself to 
the betterment of our public parks. Ms. Mary R. Wright recently retired 
from her position as Chief Deputy Director of the California Department 
of Parks and Recreation, and I wish to take this opportunity to 
recognize her work for the State of California.
  Mary began her career with the Department of Parks and Recreation in 
1978 as the Acting Assistant Director, in Los Angeles. In this 
capacity, she worked as a liaison between the Department and various 
agencies and organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Her 
valuable combination of talent in management and passion for our 
natural resources were quickly recognized by all those with whom she 
worked, and she held a variety of positions within the Department 
before being named District Superintendent for the Monterey District. 
The Monterey Peninsula is famous for its beauty and pristine natural 
habitats, enjoyed and treasured by residents of and visitors to the 
area. The role of managing and directing the efforts of those who work 
to preserve and protect these natural resources fell on Mary. She 
excelled at the task and, in June 1999, earned promotion as Governor 
Gray Davis's appointee to the position of Chief Deputy Director of the 
California Department of Parks and Recreation.
  In addition to her official work on behalf of the State of 
California, Mary works alongside her husband as an enthusiastic 
community advocate. As a resident of Big Sur, she works on behalf of 
the residents and businesses there, serving as a member of the Big Sur 
Historical

[[Page E1810]]

Society and as the Vice President of the Big Sur Health Center Board of 
Directors. She has also been active on the Monterey Peninsula for many 
years, serving as an appointed commissioner on the Monterey Historic 
Preservation Commission from 1983 until 1992, and as an appointed 
commissioner on the Marina Dunes Task Force from 1985 until 1992. She 
truly is a precious resource for our elected officials and community 
members.
  Mary Wright is a dedicated public servant, and a respected 
administrator. Her talent and vision will be sorely missed in the 
California Department of Parks and Recreation, but I am certain that 
the communities of the Central Coast will continue to benefit from 
them. I wish her well as she heads into a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________