[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAYKEEPER

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to 
recognize the 20th anniversary of the San Francisco Baykeeper.
  Created in 1989 as the first ``waterkeeper'' organization on the west 
coast, Baykeeper has experienced many successes over the past 20 years 
in its efforts to reverse the environmental degradation of the past, 
and promote new strategies and policies to protect the water quality of 
the San Francisco Bay. The ``waterkeeper'' concept dates back to a 19th 
century English tradition, and today, the International Waterkeeper 
Alliance is 157 programs strong, with each organization working to 
enforce provisions of the 1972 Clean Water Act and other Federal and 
State laws.
  Baykeeper fills a unique niche in the bay area by acting as the 
watchdog for the San Francisco Bay. Baykeeper has become the bay area's 
most effective advocate, working tirelessly to address the most 
pressing problems facing the bay.
  In its 20 year history, Baykeeper has fought tirelessly to hold 
polluters accountable for illegal toxics, protect native fish and 
wildlife, keep pesticides out of the bay, and fight for an end to 
sewage spills in the bay. Today, as it gets ready to enter its third 
decade of defending the bay from pollution, Baykeeper is seeing 
progress toward its vision of a healthy, thriving bay.
  For 20 years, Baykeeper has worked passionately and effectively to 
ensure a thriving San Francisco Bay for generations to come. I commend 
Baykeeper staff and volunteers for their continuing efforts to restore 
the bay to a teeming estuary that attracts millions of birds, fish, and 
marine mammals--as well as enchanted visitors, devoted residents, and 
passionate recreationists. I look forward to future generations having 
the opportunity to enjoy this special part of California for many years 
to come.

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