[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        HONORING DOUGLAS MALONEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 2010

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former Marin County 
counsel Douglas Maloney who passed away on February 17, 2010 at his 
home in San Rafael, California. Serving on the legal frontlines of 
county government for more than three decades, Marin has greatly 
benefited from his unwavering dedication and skilled advocacy of the 
public's best interest.
  Born in San Francisco in 1933, Mr. Maloney, a 50-year member of the 
California Bar Association, received his bachelor's degree from the 
California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California, and his law degree 
from the University of San Francisco. A world traveler, voracious 
reader, exceptional public speaker, and a prolific writer, Doug Maloney 
loved life!
  It was Doug Maloney who led the county's legal defense of the 
``Marin-only'' provision in Ross philanthropist Beryl Buck's multi-
million-dollar bequest. Maloney took on the San Francisco Foundation's 
challenge to spend the millions on needs beyond the county borders. 
With an outstanding legal team, he presented strong arguments upholding 
the Buck bequest and proving that, despite Marin's affluence, there 
were plenty of needs right in the county that could use financial 
assistance. The 1986 court-approved settlement transferred the Buck 
Trust to newly formed Marin Community Foundation to focus funds on 
research into aging, advocacy against alcohol abuse and research into 
educational issues. Had that battle been lost, Marin would be a far 
different place.
  The legal engineer of land-use restrictions that saved West Marin 
from suburban sprawl, Maloney successfully defended the county's 1972 
zoning restrictions designed to preserve and protect West Marin 
farmland and the ranching lifestyle. Challenged in 1989, Maloney won a 
federal court decision upholding the zoning restrictions and turning 
back a lawsuit by a Chicago landowner wanting to carve up his 561-acre 
Nicasio ranch. While we may take our open space and ranch lands for 
granted, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the vision, political 
courage and legal skill of Douglas Maloney.
  A man of great personal integrity and not one to back away from a 
rousing legal argument, Doug was good humored and a passionate follower 
of film and stage. He enjoyed rewriting fashionable Broadway shows and 
stage musicals, putting on a Marin spin and political satire to benefit 
local causes, complete with titles like, ``As the Candidate Turns,'' 
``Damn Yuppies'' and ``Caucus Line.'' A popular op-ed columnist for the 
Alarin Independent Journal, readers enjoyed his musings and appreciated 
his skill at weaving literature, history, politics, opinion and the 
proverbial Marin angle into his biweekly essays.
  Doug Maloney was a devoted husband and father. In addition to his 
sister, Marion Berger of Redding, California, Mr. Maloney is survived 
by his wife of twenty-two years, Ellen Caulfield of San Rafael, Marin 
County, six children, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Douglas Maloney will be missed by so many who shared 
in his work and vision. A man of letters and the law, he practiced what 
he preached. It is fitting to recognize his extraordinary efforts on 
behalf of Marin County and its residents. I join the many people who 
will miss Doug Maloney's inspiration, friendship, bright spirit, and 
clever quotes delivered with perfect timing and meaning.

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