[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING JAMES VAN COTT OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
James Van Cott on the occasion of his retirement after 30 years as a 
California State Parks Peace Officer. James's leadership will be truly 
missed by his co-workers, the people of northern California, and the 
numerous State, Federal and local government agencies that relied on 
his immense knowledge of issues relating to our State parks.
  Mr. Van Cott's long and distinguished career in public service has 
stretched through 4 decades and 5 State parks: Doheny State Beach, Lake 
Perris State Recreation Area, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Samuel P. 
Taylor State Park, and Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
  Over the course of his career, Mr. Van Cott has always sought to 
improve his skills and training and pass that knowledge onto others. 
During his 8 years at Lake Perris, he was certified by the Department 
of Boating and Waterways as an Advanced Boating Officer and an Advanced 
Boating Accident Investigator. He provided over 12,000 hours of law 
enforcement training for lifeguards and field rangers. As a Defensive 
Tactics Instructor, James provided over 10,000 hours of instruction and 
training for field rangers in the Los Lagos, Marin, and Diablo Vista 
Districts.
  Mr. Van Cott has been a valuable ambassador for the Parks Department, 
working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cal-Fire, Marin 
Municipal Water District, Marin County Wild Animal Care, the California 
Highway Patrol and many other State and local agencies during his 
tenure. He has reached out to the community as well. While at Mt. 
TamaIpais, he organized, managed and directed the ``Friends of 
California State Parks,'' the fifth largest volunteer program in the 
State.
  Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize James Van Cott 
for his many years of service to the State of California, and to thank 
him for his many contributions on behalf of our State and his 
community. I join his wife, Carol, and his son Josh in wishing him the 
best as he enters this new phase of his life.

                          ____________________