[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 103 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE COMMITTEE FOR GREEN FOOTHILLS ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 
                            40TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2002

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 40th 
Anniversary of the Committee for Green Foothills, based in Palo Alto, 
California and dedicated to preserving open space on the San Francisco 
Peninsula.
  In 1962, a group of more than 25 concerned citizens gathered in Ruth 
Spangenberg's living room for a meeting organized by Lois Crozier-Hogle 
and they created a brand new grassroots organization committed to the 
protection of the Peninsula foothills from development. At that first 
meeting, Gary Gerard suggested the name Committee for Green Foothills 
and Wallace Stegner was elected the first president of the group.
  Since that first meeting, the group has remained at the forefront of 
the establishment and maintenance of policies that protect the 
environment and open space throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara 
Counties of California. They've done this by encouraging long-range 
planning and sensible growth by local governments, businesses and 
developers. The manifestation of these enlightened policies can be seen 
in the Stanford University 1971 Land Use/Policy Plan, the 1994 Santa 
Clara County General Plan, and San Jose's first Urban Growth Boundary 
in 1995. The Committee has also led the way in ensuring the protection 
of a number of critical habitats and key open space lands including 
Edgewood Park, the Palo Alto Baylands, Mirada Surf, Bair Island, 
Montara State Beach, and Pigeon Point among many others.
  Today, the goals of its founders carry on through the Committee's 
growing membership which not only advocates for the preservation of 
land and open space, but also educates residents of the San Francisco 
Peninsula about the land and the critical need for sustainable 
development. With the support of its membership and its partnerships 
with many public and private environmental organizations, the Committee 
has made a profound difference in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties 
and we are a better place because of their extraordinary 
accomplishments.
  Because of the forty years of dedicated advocacy and education, the 
Committee for Green Foothills has brought about the protection and 
preservation of some of our nation's most prized lands. These lands not 
only enhance our quality of life . . . they have attracted people from 
around the country and the world to see, to hike, and to walk . . . all 
in awe of what the jewels in the crown of California's 14th 
Congressional District are.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
saluting the Committee for Green Foothills on their 40th Anniversary 
and thanking them for their incomparable contributions to our community 
and our country.

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