[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E72-E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ANNE McMAHON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a former member 
of my staff and my dear friend, Anne McMahon.
  Anne recently passed away after a tough battle with cancer. She 
leaves behind a wonderful loving family, including husband Peter and 
sons Jono and Ryan, and a host of friends and admirers across the 
country.
  Anne was one of the first Congressional staffers who my late husband, 
Walter Capps, hired when he was elected in 1996. She was the anchor of 
Walter's and, later my, congressional office in San Luis Obispo, 
California. The consummate professional, she was completely plugged in 
to the local community and there was no issue or constituency that 
didn't have Anne's ear or attention.
  Among her many talents, Anne was a wonderful writer, having worked as 
a local journalist for several years before moving to politics, where 
she worked not just with Walter and me but two county Supervisors as 
well. She was also a tireless advocate for the environment and worked 
extensively to preserve our beautiful Central Coast, including 
protecting Santa Margarita Ranch from development. Eventually her 
unquenchable love for the natural environment led her to other 
professional opportunities with The Nature Conservancy and most 
recently with the California Coastal Commission. She excelled in all 
these endeavors and brought to all of them her relentless commitment to 
leaving the world a better place than she found it.
  Walter and I both loved Anne for her commitment to public service and 
tireless devotion to her community. But we also reveled in her vibrant 
personality, her irreverent and irrepressible wit, and her enthusiastic 
embrace of all life's joys and sorrows. I know that this healthy 
outlook on life, along with the endless support from her family and 
friends, brought her strength during the difficult days of the past 
year.
  Anne touched many lives and inspired all of us. She faced her battle 
with cancer with the same courage, grace, and sense of humor that 
guided her throughout her life. Everyone who knew Anne thought the 
world of her and

[[Page E73]]

I know that I am not the only one who is heartbroken by her passing.
  My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family during this 
difficult time.

                          ____________________