[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF BRIAN O'NEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
one of the grand pioneers of the National Park Service, Brian O'Neill.
  Brian was a passionate and dedicated advocate for our National Parks. 
He served as a magnificent steward of our beloved treasure, the Golden 
Gate National Recreation Area.
  The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) encompasses 76,000 
acres of land and 50 miles of shoreline within Marin, San Francisco and 
San Mateo Counties, and includes world-famous sites such as Alcatraz 
Island, Muir Woods and the Presidio of San Francisco. It is the most 
visited unit of our National Park System, receiving more than 20 
million visitors annually, and is one of the largest urban National 
Parks in the world.
  Brian O'Neill's leadership in our National Parks spanned more than 28 
years. As General Superintendent of the GGNRA, Brian met the challenge 
of leadership in every measure. His enthusiasm soared to the heights of 
the giant redwoods of Muir Woods, his spirit of partnership spanned the 
Golden Gateway from Fort Point to Fort Baker, and his vision saw to the 
Farallone Islands and beyond.
  On a daily basis, Brian inspired a staff of 425 employees, a 
volunteer force of over 20,000 and more than 30 major facility and 
program partners. Under his leadership, GGNRA has developed park 
operational partnerships that have served as national and international 
models.
  Brian was a prominent figure in the transitioning of the Presidio of 
San Francisco from a military installation to a National Park. For more 
than two centuries, the Presidio stood as the Sentinel of the Golden 
Gate. Today, thanks to a strong public-private partnership, the 
Presidio has been transformed into a National Park like no other, and 
as a place of peaceful reflection and recreation for all people. The 
transformation of the Presidio from Post to Park has been exciting in 
its innovation, and is due in large part to Brian's leadership.
  For more than a century, Fort Baker played a key role in the defense 
of San Francisco Bay. Today, thanks to the leadership and commitment of 
Brian, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and many others, Fort Baker offers a 
world-class retreat and conference center, a hands-on children's museum 
and learning center, and the Institute at the Golden Gate dedicated to 
dialog and action on global environmental issues. Ft. Baker's post-to-
park transition was truly a collaborative effort that brought together 
the entire community--a hallmark of Brian O'Neill's leadership. Moving 
forward, Ft. Baker will play a key role in advancing the cause of both 
local and global environmental stewardship and preserving our planet 
for our children and the future.
  Another highlight of Brian's lifetime of accomplishment was returning 
Crissy Field from the barren, broken asphalt of a former World War II 
airstrip to the historic wetlands and verdant marsh along the 
Presidio's window to the Bay. Crissy Field was one of the first 
attempts to restore historic wetlands along San Francisco Bay, and the 
first effort ever in San Francisco. Brian worked with Toby Rosenblatt, 
the Haas family and many others to bring the resources, talent and 
energy together in a great success that provides public recreation and 
environmental restoration. Today, Crissy Field serves as an example of 
the important alliance that can be developed between local and federal 
partners for the benefit of the community and for the entire National 
Parks system.
  Brian provided leadership for the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, the 
Bay Area Open Space Council, the Association for the Central California 
Biosphere Reserve, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research 
Association, the Headlands Institute, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's 
California Advisory Council, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine 
Sanctuary Advisory Council and the Save-the-Bay Association Advisory 
Council. He was a key advisor to the Department of the Interior on 
partnership matters.
  As Phillip Burton, a goliath of our National Parks, stated when he 
created the law preserving GGNRA and the Presidio, ``Even in a remote 
setting, the features of this park would be outstanding.'' In 
furtherance of Phillip Burton's vision, Brian O'Neill's enduring legacy 
is an outstanding National Park that is sustainable, and accessible for 
all to enjoy, and is a great source of pride to all of us.
  My colleagues in Congress and I are deeply saddened by his passing, 
and are grateful for the legacy of natural beauty and cultural heritage 
he has left for future generations to enjoy. We will miss his 
enthusiasm, his spirit and his vision. I hope it is of comfort to his 
wife Marti, and his children Kim and Brent, that so many of us share in 
their loss.

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