[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO STEVE THOMPSON

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I wish to honor Steve Thompson, 
his stellar career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the 
dedication to solving our most difficult natural resources problems 
that he has demonstrated time and again throughout his career. Thompson 
is retiring on August 4 after 32 years with the Service.
  I know Steve as the regional director of Region 8, formerly the 
California and Nevada Operations Office, CNO, a job he assumed in 2002. 
From the regional headquarters in Sacramento, CA, he oversaw Service 
programs in California, Nevada, and Klamath Basin that administer the 
Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act and managed 51 
national wildlife refuges and 3 national fish hatcheries.
  His many honors include being chosen in 1994 as the first ``Refuge 
Manager of the Year'' by the National Audubon Society and the National 
Wildlife Refuge Association. Even more notably, in September 2007, 
Thompson earned the Distinguished Executive Award, the highest 
Presidential Rank Award given to career senior executive service 
employees and the first time a Service employee has been so recognized.
  I have worked now with Steve on many issues, including the Cargill 
salt ponds purchase and ongoing restoration, efforts to restore the 
Klamath River, habitat conservation planning, and CALFED. For his 
dedication to help find a way to purchase the Cargill salt ponds, Steve 
can feel pride at the migratory birds that now have a place to rest in 
San Francisco Bay on their long journeys along the Pacific flyway.
  For his utterly tireless work to find a way to restore the Klamath 
River, we do not yet know what result will ensue. But thanks to Steve's 
leadership, we perhaps have a once in a generation opportunity to 
restore the River and its fisheries while providing certainty to 
farmers.
  What I always found with Steve is that he is completely dedicated to 
finding that straight and narrow path through the bureaucracy to 
actually solve our biggest natural resource problems.
  Others might find reasons why a solution can't be found or why it 
might be imperfect from some idealized perspective. Steve just 
dedicates himself to finding that solution.
  He is a straight shooter. He tells you what he is going to do to 
solve a problem, and then he gets the job done.
  All of us who care about California's natural resources will miss 
him.
  Steve, I want to congratulate you on your years of remarkable service 
to our Nation's fish and wildlife and the people who value them. I hope 
you can now enjoy a little fishing and a few quiet moments to 
contemplate what you have so honorably protected.

                          ____________________