[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JULIE PACKARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend Julie E. 
Packard, the Executive Director and Vice Chairman of the Monterey Bay 
Aquarium Foundation's Board of Trustees and the recipient of the Ted 
Danson Ocean Hero Award. The award is given annually, in recognition of 
the recipient's strong commitment toward protection and restoration of 
the marine environment. Ms. Packard is a woman of principle and 
conviction. She has worked tirelessly to protect and preserve our 
delicate ocean ecology.
  On October 20, 1984, Ms. Packard was instrumental in opening the 
Monterey Bay Aquarium. Today, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation is a 
$124 million institution and has consistently drawn 2 million people to 
its exhibits each year. It and its sister institution, the Monterey Bay 
Aquarium Research Institute, are some of the finest marine life and 
ocean science research institutions in the United States. She has been 
its Executive Director since it opened.
  Ms. Packard was born in Los Altos, California. She is one of four 
children, along with a brother, David, and sisters, Susan and Nancy. 
She went on to earn a masters degree in biology from the University of 
California at Santa Cruz. Julie is married to Robert Stephens. Together 
they are raising wonderful twin daughters.
  Through her involvements, Julie has inspired and educated many about 
the wonders of our oceans and the environment of Monterey Bay and the 
central coast. She has been instrumental in making the schools of 
Monterey Bay some of the finest on the central coast, making it 
possible for future generations of students to nourish a passion for 
the ocean as strong as hers.
  Ms. Packard has been a board member of numerous organizations and 
committees, including the California Nature Conservancy, the Monterey 
Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the David and Lucile Packard 
Foundation. She was also a member of the Pew Oceans Commission in 2003, 
which issued recommendations for a comprehensive overhaul of national 
ocean policy. Ms. Packard has also received numerous awards. Perhaps 
one of the milestones of Julie's life and work with the oceans is when 
she received the Audubon Medal for Conservation in 1998, one of the 
premier recognitions given to those in this field.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to 
honor the many accomplishments of my friend Julie E. Packard and 
express sincere gratitude for her accomplishments and contributions to 
our community.

                          ____________________