[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 101 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MR. ARTHUR C. (SKIPPER) TONSMEIRE, III ON THE DEDICATION OF 
               THE WEEKS BAY RESOURCE CENTER IN HIS HONOR

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Arthur C. (Skipper) Tonsmeire, III on 
the occasion of the Weeks Bay Resource Center dedicated in his honor.
   Skipper Tonsmeire was born in Mobile and grew up in a house of eight 
boys on Dog River. Skipper loves the outdoors more than anyone I know--
he walks, runs, bikes, and swims at Johnson Beach Park every day, and 
he loves to fly. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Auburn 
University in 1965 and a Master's in Business Administration from the 
University of Denver in 1967.
   Skipper, who serves as president of the Coastal Land Trust and Weeks 
Bay Foundation, has been an integral force in land conservation and 
environmental stewardship throughout the United States and especially 
in southwest Alabama. The Weeks Bay Foundation supports the Weeks Bay 
Estuarine Research Reserve in its efforts to protect the pristine 
coastal area of Baldwin County, Alabama. Skipper actively serves in 
many other associations and organizations. For instance, he has been 
the director of the Boys and Girls Club in Baldwin County since 1997. 
Additionally, he is a founding member of the Rotary Boys and Girls Club 
of Fairhope as well as the Point Clear Rotary Club.
   Skipper has also been extremely instrumental in the protection of 
30,000 acres of property in the Mobile Tensaw Delta and has worked 
extensively with The Nature Conservancy of Alabama on land protection 
projects throughout the state of Alabama.
   Skipper was honored with the 1994-1995 Calder Conservation Award for 
building alliances over the past 20 years between the local business 
community, public agencies, and nonprofit conservation groups to 
protect the environmentally and economically important wetlands of the 
Alabama Gulf Coast. He also received The Nature Conservancy 
Distinguished Service Award for Gulf Coast land preservation and was 
awarded the Gulf Oil Conservation Award and Conservationist of the Year 
by the state of Alabama.
   The property on which the Weeks Bay Multi Purpose Classroom Building 
was constructed was purchased by the Coastal Land Trust and the Weeks 
Bay Foundation. In addition to this property, the foundation purchased 
the former Safe Harbor RV Park and numerous other parcels--all of which 
have been conveyed to the state of Alabama. As foundation president, 
Skipper took what was once only a dream and turned it into a reality 
for the Weeks Bay Reserve. His leadership on these land acquisitions 
was the driving force behind the success of the project.
   Skipper's diligent efforts to preserve our natural resources have 
ensured that future generations will enjoy coastal Alabama for many 
years to come. While Skipper would vehemently deny this fact, we all 
know that had it not been for Skipper Tonsmeire's vision, there would 
be no Weeks Bay Reserve or Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. His 
quiet unassuming way has served the treasures of Alabama and our coast 
well.
   Madam Speaker, I cannot imagine a better person whom the Weeks Bay 
Resource Center should honor other than Arthur C. (Skipper) Tonsmeire, 
III. It will forever recognize his long-standing commitment to the 
reserve and to natural resources in the state of Alabama.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated community 
leader and friend to many throughout Alabama. I know his family and his 
many friends and colleagues join me in extending thanks for his service 
over the years. On behalf of a grateful community, thank you, Skipper, 
for everything you have done and continue to do for coastal Alabama.




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