[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOSS LANDING MARINE 
                 LABORATORIES, MOSS LANDING, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a national treasure 
located in my district and commemorate an auspicious occasion: the 40th 
anniversary of the California State University's Moss Landing Marine 
Laboratories at the heart of Monterey Bay.
  Founded in 1966, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) is the 
second oldest marine lab on the Monterey Bay: The founders were a small 
group of strong-minded faculty and forward-thinking administrators at 
California State University (CSU) who were dedicated to the pursuit of 
marine science, research and education at the highest possible level. 
Currently, MLML is operated by a consortium of seven CSU campuses 
(Fresno, East Bay, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, 
and Stanislaus), with undergraduate and graduate students pursuing 
their Masters of Science degrees in marine biology and oceanography. 
From its grass roots conception and its humble beginnings in an old 
cannery building, MLML has grown into an institution of international 
reputation for excellence and has trained generations of students.
  The current director, Dr. Kenneth Coale, 9 full-time faculty and a 
complement of adjunct professors and affiliated researchers dutifully 
cultivate the mission, which is to ``Provision the Pioneers of the 
Future in Marine Sciences'' through a hands-on, field-oriented approach 
to their curriculum, placing their students at the frontiers of marine 
science where discoveries are being made. Since MLML is associated with 
the California State University system, the primary responsibility of 
the faculty is teaching. Despite their emphasis on well-taught courses 
and mentoring of graduate students, the MLML faculty and associated 
researchers are regional leaders within their research disciplines. 
Their research has been critical to the creation of the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary and the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, and has shaped the development of new. programs 
throughout CSU. Findings by the faculty have been acknowledged as some 
of the most significant in the field of oceanography over the last 50 
years by the National Research Council, and MLML has received the 
Environmental Heroes Award bestowed by the head of NOAA and former Vice 
President Al Gore.
  The Moss Landing Marine Laboratories are a testament to the power of 
academic freedom and the commitment to Science-Based Earth Stewardship. 
MLML has educated over 1000 marine scientists who now hold positions in 
the federal government, the most prestigious academic and research 
institutions nationwide, regulatory and resource agencies, and teaching 
institutions throughout the country. The great wealth of nearby marine 
resources, the faculty emphasis on mentoring and teaching with 
integrated research, and the excellent facilities, staff, and marine 
operations contribute to making this one of the best programs for a 
Master of Science in Marine Science in the United States. I celebrate 
the pioneers that founded this institution and those who continue to 
lead the way in maintaining excellence.

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