[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7774-S7775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING ABIGAIL KIMBELL

 Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a leader in 
American forestry.
  In February of 2007, Abigail Kimbell became the 16th Chief of the 
U.S. Forest Service. She was the first female in this role, a job she 
held until July 5, 2009. During those 2\1/2\ years, she served with 
distinction and accomplished much for the forests, grasslands, and 
people of the United States.
  Gail is credited with renewing the emphasis behind the Forest 
Service's mission of ``Caring for the Land and Serving People'' and 
reconnecting programs and functions to that mission. She improved 
firefighter safety and fire suppression cost containment. Gail showed 
great vision and leadership, pressing the agency to continually strive 
to meet a standard of excellence in its operations, both internally and 
in service to the public.
  Gail emphasized the importance of quality water to the environment 
and our communities. She directed the agency's investment in the 
education of children and youth, particularly those in underrepresented 
communities, to enhance their connection to the natural world.

[[Page S7775]]

  Gail's numerous and significant contributions span more than three 
decades of public service. As a Forest Supervisor, she focused on 
community collaboration to build understanding and support for an 
economically and environmentally viable long-term timber sale program 
in Alaska. She also made bold land management decisions to ensure 
forests remained healthy by reducing hazardous fuels.
  As associate deputy chief for the national forest system, Gail was 
central to the development of the Healthy Forests Initiative, including 
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. She also worked to improve 
interagency cooperation.
  As regional forester in the northern region, she oversaw the 
development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans 
in Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. She also played a leading role in 
the development of plans to delist the grizzly bear in the Yellowstone 
Ecosystem. Gail pioneered the implementation of improved forest 
planning with unprecedented public collaboration and ownership.
  On July 31, 2009, Gail Kimbell will be retiring from the Forest 
Service with 35-plus years of service to that agency and our country. 
Her dedication to the Forest Service mission ``to sustain the health, 
diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to 
meet the needs of present and future generations'' will be forever 
appreciated by the people of the United States.

                          ____________________