[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN APPRECIATION OF THE LIFE'S WORK OF JOSEPH HOUGHTELING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, long before there was a ``green'' 
movement, even before most Americans accepted words like ``ecology'' 
and ``environment'' into their vocabulary, Joe Houghteling was devoting 
his life to making our world a cleaner, better and more sustainable 
place. I am sorry to say that, on June 23, after 84 years on earth, the 
former chairman of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development 
Commission passed away, leaving behind a greener landscape and more 
educated citizenry.
  Madam Speaker, Joseph Cannon Houghteling's life story reads like a 
history textbook. The great-grandson and namesake of Speaker of the 
House Joseph Cannon, Joe was born in San Francisco, but moved East with 
his family and played baseball with future president George H.W. Bush 
at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
  After his studies at Bates College and College of the Holy Cross, he 
served in the United States Navy where he befriended future 
congressman--and my political mentor--Leo J. Ryan. After his service, 
Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University and 
immediately returned home to the Bay Area.
  Many Democratic leaders--and more than a few Republicans--relied on 
Joe's brilliance, advice and counsel on land-use, environmental 
protection and other issues. He attended the 1956 and 1960 Democratic 
Party conventions as a delegate for Adlai Stevenson and John F. 
Kennedy, but also advised Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey, an 
ardent opponent of the Vietnam War.
  Governor Edmund G. ``Pat'' Brown appointed Joe to the State Park 
Commission in 1959 and the State Highway Commission in 1964. Even 
Governor Ronald Reagan--whom he opposed on many fronts--saw the value 
of Joe's service and appointed him to the Bay Conservation and 
Development Commission in 1971. Governor Jerry Brown then promoted him 
to chairman during his administration. While at BCDC, Mr. Houghteling 
was credited with helping save 89,000 acres of wetlands and wildlife 
habitat from development.
  Many in Northern California know Joe Houghteling's name from the 
editorial page of their local newspaper. He published many community 
newspapers in the Bay Area, founded the Diablo Press and owned the 
Nevada County Nugget.
  But Madam Speaker, when I think of Joe Houghteling, his many 
accomplishments are not what initially come to mind. Rather, it is 
Joe's wry smile, razor-sharp wit and generous spirit. Joe was as quick 
with a compliment as he was with a funny story and he never ran out of 
those. My thoughts are with the family he adored: his daughters--Anne, 
Elizabeth and Mary Houghteling; a grandson, three nieces, a nephew and 
most of all, his lovely wife, Judy, who recently told a reporter that 
Joe used to joke about having his ashes thrown upwind from a boat so 
that his remains would blow back into the eyes of his mourners, forcing 
them to shed a tear.
  Madam Speaker, no one who knew Joe Houghteling needs help shedding a 
tear for the passing of this remarkable man. But, like mine, I imagine 
their tears will be accompanied by silly grins and fond memories of a 
man who--without a doubt--leaves this world in better shape than he 
found it.

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