[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF STEPHEN VANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2009

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an 
invaluable member of the Santa Cruz community, and his humanitarian 
efforts all over the world. After decades of service and devotion to 
aiding developing countries, Stephen Vance lost his life serving the 
people and countries for whom he always cared.
  After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, 
Stephen became immersed in work for the United States Agency for 
International Development (USAID). In his role at USAID, Stephen spent 
more than twenty years working the issues of developing countries. He 
held numerous Country Director and Chief of Party assignments with 
USAID contractors and directed the USAID Mission experience. He served 
as the Senior Economic Development Advisor for USAID in Timor-Leste, 
where he managed USAID's economic growth team. Earlier, he served two 
years as the Executive Director of the Soros Foundation in Mongolia. 
While there, he spearheaded the foundation's transformation from a 
grant-making organization with more than 20 programs and 500 projects 
to an independent, non-partisan center for policy research and analysis 
and a platform for citizen participation and advocacy. Stephen designed 
and developed new projects in enterprise development, trade 
diversification, foreign investment promotion, rural and agricultural 
finance and agricultural development.
  Stephen's years of work reflected his desire to improve living 
situations and stimulate economic growth and self-sufficiency in 
developing countries. Though he sought to create a more perfect, 
peaceful world, Stephen's life was lost at the hands of gunmen in 
Pakistan. At the time of his assassination, he was working for 
Cooperative Housing Federation International. There he directed 
``Livelihoods Project'' in the FATA region, a program intended to 
infuse $750 million in economic development into the area.
  Stephen was loved by many; his upbeat and optimistic attitude, as 
well as his zealous and vivacious approach to dealing with situations 
made him always a pleasure to be around. His humanitarian efforts 
gained him the respect and friendship of people all over the world; his 
zest for life and creative nature made him a person who will not soon 
be forgotten.
  The City of Santa Cruz and the rest of the world will miss Stephen's 
vision and leadership, but there is no doubt that he has left us a 
better place than when he first arrived.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States of Congress, I would 
like to honor the many accomplishments of Stephen Vance and express 
sincere gratitude for his contributions locally and internationally.

                          ____________________