[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT STEVE MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Grand Canyon 
National Park Superintendent Steve Martin, who has unselfishly given 
over 35 years of exceptional service to the nation as a steward of our 
national parks.
  During his years as a park ranger and superintendent, Mr. Martin has 
championed the mission of the National Park Service in protecting the 
nation's many natural and cultural resources, has resolutely defended 
parks from degradation and harm, and has generously nurtured new 
generations of park employees and managers to serve as park stewards.
  His career encompassed exemplary service in leadership positions at 
Grand Teton, Denali and Gates of Arctic National Parks, and in staff 
positions at Yellowstone and Voyageurs National Parks, where he 
persistently fostered Americans' deep love for their parks.
  In his time as superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, Mr. 
Martin served as a tireless advocate for the park, its staff, and its 
many visitors. Through his efforts to initiate and complete extensive 
upgrades to the crumbling infrastructure at the Grand Canyon, he helped 
improve the quality of life for the Havasupai tribe and for park 
employees, as well as enriching the experiences of the 4.5 million 
people who visit the Grand Canyon each year.
  Mr. Martin fought to protect the South Rim of the Canyon and the 
Grand Canyon watershed from the toxic threat of uranium mining, which 
would have polluted the lifeline of the west, the Colorado River, and 
put at great risk the wildlife and people that call this area home.
  He has provided crucial leadership in establishing science as the 
decisive tool in policy decisions, particularly in his tenacity in 
demanding Colorado River flow rates that benefit the riparian ecosystem 
found at the heart of the Grand Canyon.
  Serving as the Intermountain Regional Director and the Deputy 
Director for the National Park Service, Mr. Martin was instrumental in 
preserving critical management policies which will continue to guide 
the National Park Service as it prepares to celebrate its centennial.
  Madam Speaker, it is fitting that we honor the 35 years of service 
that Steve Martin has given to the National Park Service, and that we 
recognize his passion and advocacy to protect and preserve our National 
Parks.

                          ____________________