[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF JOHN FISCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of John 
Fischer, who passed away recently at the age of 81. I am honored to 
have this opportunity to recognize his long public service in the 
California Central Coast community that I represent.
  John was born and raised on the east coast, graduating from the 
University of Maryland with a degree in physics. He was a long time 
member of Mensa, which accepts only persons who test in the top two 
percent of our nation in intelligence. John was in the top .01 percent. 
He moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Los Angeles Fire Department 
for nearly a decade. During that time he assisted the Los Angeles 
Police Department on the task force that took part in solving the 
Hillside Strangler case. He later worked for the LAPD, and then for the 
Los Angeles City Library.
  In 1989, John moved to Pacific Grove and immediately became a 
frequent speaker at City Council and other public meetings, advocating 
for environmental issues. John had a gift for explaining difficult 
concepts in simple terms that made complex topics understandable. His 
discourse was not only informative, but always polite, even in heated 
disagreements.
  I never saw him without his snowy owl pendant, and even his license 
plate, ``Snowy,'' proclaimed his love of and care for the natural 
world. In his twenty-one years in our community, he contributed a lot 
of time and effort to many organizations. He was a co-founder of 
EcoCorps with former Pacific Grove Mayor Sandy Koffman and her husband; 
he served as President and Trustee of Friends of the Sea Otter; he 
volunteered for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in all its 
programs that monitor water quality, and also served for years on its 
Conservation Working Group. He volunteered for Pacific Grove's Monarch 
Habitat Restoration Committee, Americans with Disabilities Act 
Compliance Advisory Committee, Economic Development Group, Housing 
Committee, Community Policing Advisory Committee, Traffic Commission, 
Crespi Pond Committee, and represented Pacific Grove on the Citizens 
Advisory Committee for the Transportation Agency of Monterey County.
  For his over 1,800 hours as a volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium 
he was named a ``Volunteer Emeritus.'' In 2005, the National Marine 
Sanctuary Foundation named him an Outstanding Volunteer. He received 
numerous accolades during his life for his many contributions.
  Madam Speaker, I know that I speak for the whole House in mourning 
the passing of this dedicated and loving man. His life was a gift to 
his community, a shining example to be emulated by those who he 
inspired to continue his work.

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