[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ANDREW T. RINGGOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2003

  Mrs. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Andrew T. Ringgold, Superintendent, Redwood National and State Parks, 
Crescent City, California, who is being honored on the occasion of his 
retirement after 36 years with the National Park Service.
  A native of Washington, D.C., Andy Ringgold grew up in Williamsburg, 
Virginia and received his Bachelors Degree from Bucknell University. He 
began his outstanding career in the National Park Service as a Park 
Ranger at Sequoia National Park in California in 1967. In 1972 Andy 
became District Ranger at Lassen Volcanic National Park and then served 
as Chief Ranger at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona from 1976 
to 1979. After serving as Chief Ranger at New River Gorge in West 
Virginia, he became Staff Park Ranger, Division of Ranger Activities at 
the Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C. in 1984. In 1987 Andy 
Ringgold served as Chief of the Branch of Resource and Visitor 
Protection at the Headquarters Office and then, in 1989, became 
Superintendent at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. In 1995 
he assumed the duties of Superintendent at Redwood National Park in 
California.
  In 2002, Mr. Ringgold received the United States Department of the 
Interior Honor Award for Meritorious Service in recognition of his 
contributions to the management and protection of resources at Redwood 
National Park. He spearheaded the use of alternative methods and 
partnerships to achieve park goals. He has received numerous awards in 
recognition of his outstanding and innovative leadership.
  Andrew Ringgold has guided the management of Redwood National and 
State Parks, which includes three California state parks and the 
national park as one unit, a precedent setting agreement that has 
evolved into a model partnership of cooperation and efficiency. It is a 
model that has set the standard for similar partnerships in other 
regions across the nation.
  Andrew Ringgold has served the National Park Service with honesty, 
integrity and expertise. His high standards and dedication to his 
profession are widely recognized.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Andrew 
T. Ringgold for his vision and leadership and for his contributions to 
the preservation of the natural resources of our Nation.

                          ____________________