[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO DALE ANTONICH

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dale Antonich, who is 
retiring after 33 years of service with the National Park Service.
  Dale began his career with the National Park Service as a seasonal 
park ranger at the Grand Canyon in 1972. For the next four years, Dale 
held a variety of seasonal laborer, park technician and ranger jobs. 
His seasonal employment included assignments in the Grand Canyon, Lake 
Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) and Death Valley National Park. In 
1977, he accepted a full-time career position as a park technician at 
Golden Gate National Park. Dale accepted a promotion in 1981 as a park 
ranger in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA. In 1984, Dale moved from the 
Santa Monica Mountains NRA to the Grand Teton National Park, accepting 
a promotion to law enforcement specialist park ranger. In 1986, Dale 
was selected for the Chief Ranger position at Death Valley National 
Park. He became the Chief Ranger at Lake Mead NRA in 1991, a position 
he held for the remainder of his career.
  Over the course of his 33 year career, Dale has received a number of 
awards: the Commendation for a Rescue at Grand Canyon, and the Member 
of Unit Citation for Rescue at Lake Mead in 1974; he received the 
Commendation for Rescue performed at Golden Gate National Park in 1978; 
the Sustained Superior Performance Award in 1984; and the U.S. 
Department of the Interior Award for Rescue in 1991. Dale also received 
the highest award that can be bestowed upon a ranger by his peers, the 
Henry Yount Award. He received this award in 1999 from then-Vice 
President Al Gore.
  Dale has dedicated his professional career to the mission of the 
National Parks Service. He has committed his life to the resources, 
park visitors, park staff and our partners. He has provided leadership 
in the development and management of emerging operations, and the 
professionalization of ranger positions within the National Park 
System.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Dale Antonich for his years spent 
the National Park Service. Dale's experience, commitment, contributions 
and dedication to his job will be surely missed. I wish him the best 
with his retirement.

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