[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF PETE McCLOSKEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Pete McCloskey, a 
distinguished and charismatic former member of this house for 16 years, 
and a true American maverick who has been guided by a shining moral 
compass throughout his life. Former Congressman McCloskey pursues the 
truth no matter where it leads him.
  In his over eight decades, Pete has accomplished more than will fit 
on this page. In one of his most recent endeavors, he ran against a 
fellow Republican, Richard Pombo, in the primary election--at age 78. 
While most members of his age group are retired, McCloskey continues to 
practice as a trial lawyer, works on his farm raising citrus and olive 
trees and creates mischief with his group, ``Revolt of the Elders.'' He 
was a war hero in Korea and received a Navy Cross, a Silver Star and 
two Purple Heart for his service to this country.
  In Congress he served the people of the San Francisco Peninsula and 
Silicon Valley from 1967-1983. He was vehemently opposed to the Vietnam 
War and ran for President against Richard Nixon in 1972. The following 
year, he was the first member of Congress to ask for President Nixon's 
impeachment. Mr. McCloskey is a principal at Cotchett, Pitre and 
McCarthy and has an extensive civil rights and environmental record. He 
received his B.A. from Stanford University and his J. D. from Stanford 
Law School.
  Pete's environmental activism was ignited when Cuyahoga River in Ohio 
caught fire twice in 1969. Together with Gaylord Nelson, he co-chaired 
the first Earth Day in 1970. Three years later he coauthored the 
Endangered Species Act.
  Madam Speaker, Pete McCloskey fights for justice with the same 
passion today as he did forty years ago. He is a personal hero of mine 
and an icon to all of us who thirst for courageous leaders in our 
country. It is fitting that the Peninsula Coalition is presenting him 
with its Lifetime Achievement award on May 6 in Burlingame.

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