[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO PETER DOUGLAS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the achievements and legacy of Peter Douglas, executive 
director of the California Coastal Commission, who will be retiring 
this November. Peter is truly a giant among California 
conservationists, and our State is a much better and more beautiful 
place as a result of his life's work.
  Established by voter initiative in 1972, the Coastal Commission was 
created by the people of California and is sustained by their support 
and active participation. For nearly four decades, the California 
Coastal Commission has worked to protect, conserve, restore, and 
enhance the resources of the California coast and ocean for current and 
future generations.
  Peter Douglas was there at the creation of the commission, and he has 
shaped and guided its work every step of the way. As a legislative aide 
in the early 1970s, he helped draft the 1972 Coastal Initiative and the 
California Coastal Act of 1976, which made the commission a permanent 
public institution. After 7 years as the commission's chief deputy 
director, he was named executive director in 1985 and has served ever 
since.
  Along with its stewardship of responsible development along the 
coast, the Coastal Commission has led the way in preserving public 
access to our State's coastline and beaches. From the beginning, Peter 
Douglas believed that protecting public access went hand in hand with 
protecting California's natural heritage, because the public would work 
to protect a resource that they could enjoy. Under Peter's leadership, 
the commission worked to create public parks in some key areas that 
might otherwise have been developed, including Crystal Cove, Malibu 
Bluffs, and Tomales Bay State Park.
  Here is what Peter Douglas himself says about coastal conservation: 
``The coast is what it is because a lot of people worked really hard 
and sacrificed to protect it. And if we want it to be there for our 
children, we have to keep fighting to protect it. In that way, the 
coast is never saved--it is always being saved.''
  When asked if he had any idea when he started out 40 years ago what 
his legacy would be, Peter Douglas replied, ``Absolutely not. I never 
thought about it. I just thought it was noble work, and I wanted to 
make a difference.''
  Peter Douglas has made a tremendous difference. From the bottom of my 
heart, I offer him my profound thanks and best wishes.

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