[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E849-E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING HELEN SPIVEY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2011

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Helen Spivey 
who today is receiving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2010 
Regional Director's Conservation Award.
  I had the distinct pleasure and honor to serve and sit next to Helen 
in the Florida House of Representatives, and I am proud that her many 
years of service yielded such tremendous benefits to the people of 
Florida and our state's unique ecosystem. Her recognition today is 
warranted and well deserved.
  For several decades, Helen Spivey has been an iconic leader in the 
protection of Florida's special ecosystems and in particular, the 
endangered Florida manatee. For that work, she holds a very special 
title to those of us that know her well--``The Manatee Lady.''
  For decades, Helen has fought to preserve the more pristine and 
natural Florida she knew in her youth. Since moving to Crystal River in 
the 1970s, she has built a long resume volunteering in efforts to fight 
uncontrolled urban growth, pollution from wastewater facilities, and of 
course to protect Florida manatees.
  From serving on the Crystal River City Council to being elected to 
the Florida Legislature, Helen's life exemplifies the best a citizen 
has to offer as an active and effective community and public servant.
  While she has worked in collaboration with many conservation 
organizations over her lifetime, her connection to the Save the Manatee 
Club is special.
  Since 2000, she has served as co-chair of the Save the Manatee Club's 
Board of Directors. In this role, she works tirelessly for the gentle 
creature of our Florida waterways. The Club could not have a better 
advocate for their efforts.
  Today, the Fish and Wildlife Service is honoring Helen for her work 
on expanding the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to include the 
critically important Three Sisters Springs property.
  This project is a microcosm of Helen's long fight to protect 
Florida's incredible natural wonders and to protect much needed habitat 
for the Florida Manatee.
  Three Sisters is an urban spring that has been under threat of 
development for many years. But through Helen's leadership, this 57-
acre property was acquired by the Service to forever preserve this 
ecologically important habitat.
  Each year, more than 150 manatees winter in and around this spring, 
and it draws tourists from across the state and beyond to behold this 
gentle giant of our waterways. If you have ever experienced a Florida 
manatee up close, you understand how special this creature is, and how 
important it is that we protect this impressive species for future 
generations.
  The Three Sisters project took many years to realize and required the 
collaboration of many public and private partners. I was honored to 
work with Helen and with Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite of 
Brooksville, Florida, and Florida's senior Senator Bill Nelson to help 
secure federal funding for a portion of this important project.
  But it was Helen that was the driving force that made the Three 
Sisters Springs Project a reality. She worked tirelessly to coordinate 
state, local and federal agencies, and the private partners needed to 
line up all the funding required to protect this precious resource. She 
has never been someone to take ``no'' for an answer, and with her 
bright spirit and intellect, she constantly wins over new allies for 
her cause.
  Now that the spring's site is under federal management, I look 
forward to its full restoration and the inclusion of an interpretive 
platform and station that will enhance visitors' appreciation for this 
special ecosystem.
  Once again, Helen should be very proud, as we are, of her hard fought 
victory for Florida's ecosystem and for the Florida manatee.
  But I know what Helen will actually do . . . which is to smile, give 
us all a small nod, and then get right back to work on her next 
endeavor.
  In a 2004 article in the St. Petersburg Times, Helen was quoted as 
saying, ``I guess I wouldn't want people to remember me . . . but I 
would be really pleased if they could see an ecosystem that functions 
and a world that is not asphalt and concrete.''
  Well, Helen, we will most certainly remember you and the work you 
continue to do each day to make your vision a reality.
  And with your work regarding saving Three Sisters Spring, you have 
added one more special ecosystem to the list of protected places in our 
beloved Florida. I am thrilled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
is honoring you today--because no one is more deserving of this 
recognition.
  So today, as you receive this award while also celebrating your 
eighty-third birthday, Florida thanks you for all that you do. I am so 
proud of you and simply can't wait to see what you accomplish in your 
next eighty-three years.

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