[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE RETIREMENT OF DR. BILL HOGARTH

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, at the end of the year my good friend Dr. 
Bill Hogarth will be leaving his position as the leader of the National 
Marine Fisheries Service. Bill is the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 
his departure will mark the end of a 6-year tenure in this post.
  Throughout Bill's career with the National Marine Fisheries Service, 
I have had many opportunities to work with him on Fisheries issues 
critical to the State of Alaska, to the Nation, and to international 
fisheries management organizations. Bill's knowledge of our fisheries 
and commitment to science-based management have helped to conserve and 
rebuild many of our most important fish stocks, both domestically and 
internationally.
  Last January, the President signed our reauthorization bill for the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, which 
mandates an end to overfishing by requiring fisheries management 
councils to adhere to science-based catch limits. As we wrote that 
legislation, my colleagues and I worked with Bill to ensure this goal 
would be met. His expert advice and insight into our Nation's fisheries 
regulations proved to be indispensable.
  In Alaska, which has half the coastline of the United States and 
produces half of our Nation's fisheries products, Bill has also 
demonstrated a firm commitment to both conserving and supporting our 
State's fisheries. Under his tenure, the fisheries service has invested 
in the scientific research and facilities that will enable sound 
conservation of Alaska's fish stocks. Bill has also ensured effective 
implementation of all fisheries legislation important to our State.
  Alaska native communities have also benefited under Bill's 
leadership. He knows that the survival of our Alaskan villages relies 
on maintaining access to fisheries and marine mammals, and therefore 
Bill worked hard to ensure that this access is upheld. At this year's 
meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Anchorage, during 
which Bill served as Commission Chairman, he secured the subsistence 
bowhead whale quota for Alaska Native communities. This was a 
significant victory at a contentious meeting, and our communities owe 
Bill a debt of gratitude for his achievements.
  I am pleased that Bill will be remaining on as Chairman of the 
International Whaling Commission. I look forward to continuing to work 
with him in this capacity. This will build on his other achievements in 
the international arena--such as the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, where, as Chairman, he was at the 
forefront of the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated 
fishing--a serious threat to all global fish stocks.
  I thank Bill for his many years of service to our fisheries and 
fishing communities. I also thank him for his cooperation and 
friendship as we worked to achieve our common goals of fisheries 
sustainability. I think he has done a grand job for the Nation. I wish 
Bill and his wife, Mary, all the best in the future.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent in advance if I 
exceed the 10 minutes under morning business that I be allowed to 
continue unless a colleague comes here wishing to speak.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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