[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO FRANK EGGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Frank Egger of 
Fairfax, CA, who recently completed 10 terms--40 years--on the Fairfax 
City Council, including seven stints as mayor. The longest continuously 
serving city council member in the State, Frank's tenure was marked by 
his environmental activism and his passion for his town.
  A San Francisco native, Frank lived in Santa Rosa for several years 
where he met his wife, Ronita Sundin, while modeling at a fashion show 
at the Flamingo Hotel. The couple moved to Fairfax in 1959 to raise 
their daughter Lori, who now has two children of her own. Frank left 
college to support his family and spent 44 years driving a bread truck 
for Sara Lee. He became active in North Bay labor issues, fighting for 
the rights of blue-collar workers, and eventually served as president 
of Teamsters Local No. 484.
  In the 1960s Frank began his life's calling as an activist in both 
State and local issues when he perceived the environmental threats 
facing California and when a graceful Victorian bank in his hometown 
was replaced by a modern building.
  Frank cofounded Friends of the Eel River, preventing the building of 
the Dos Rios Dam and is still fighting water diversions that could harm 
that stream's fisheries. He has had long working relationships with 
environmental pioneers including David Brower, Todd Steiner, Marty 
Griffin, and the late Peter Behr--with whom he developed the California 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, signed into law by Governor Reagan. He also 
served as one of the State's first coastal commissioners, spearheaded a 
State antinuclear initiative, and is a member of the statewide 
Environmental Health Legislative Working Group Pesticide Committee.
  Locally, Frank was active in many key groups including the Ross 
Valley Paramedic Authority, GGNRA Board of Control, Marin County 
Congestion Management Agency, Marin Telecommunications Agency, and many 
others over his 40-year tenure. He has also been a fixture at meetings 
dealing with water issues in both Marin and Sonoma counties.
  However, he will be most remembered for his leadership in preserving 
Fairfax's small-town character through his role in slowing its 
development and safeguarding its environment and the wages of its 
workforce. He was instrumental in the creation of the 500-acre Elliot 
Nature Preserve, enactment of strict antipesticide ordinances and a 
high living-wage law, and protection of the historic 23-acre Marin Town 
and Country Club from large-scale development.
  In the cauldron of local politics, all would agree that Frank acted 
out of conviction for his town, for the environment, and for the well 
being of workers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have worked with Frank Egger, a brave and 
caring activist, whose years of service are an inspiration to all of us 
who believe in fighting for our values and speaking out for progressive 
causes. I know he will continue this fight, and I intend to be by his 
side.




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