[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING PETER DOUGLAS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, earlier this month, California and 
the Nation lost one of our true environmental heroes when Peter 
Douglas, the longtime executive director of the California Coastal 
Commission, passed away. Peter was truly a giant among California 
conservationists, and our State is a much better and more beautiful 
place because of his life's work.
  Peter Douglas was there at the creation of the California Coastal 
Commission, which for four decades has worked to protect, conserve, 
restore, and enhance the California coast and ocean for current and 
future generations. 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 Coastal Commission a permanent public institution. 
After 7 years as the Commission's Chief Deputy Director, he was named 
executive director in 1985 and served brilliantly in that capacity for 
more than 25 years.
  When Peter was diagnosed with cancer, he faced it as he did all the 
other challenges in his life with intelligence, courage, grace, and 
good humor. Last spring, Peter began writing a cancer blog. As he noted 
in his first posting, his doctors were ``quite pessimistic and advised 
I get affairs in order and focus on my bucket list. But I am an 
inveterate and aggressive activist not about to give up on life, 
especially not my own. My time will come, but not quite yet I hope. 
Besides, I am too busy to die.''
  Peter kept writing, producing a remarkable record of his final battle 
with cancer along with his political autobiography and some profound 
personal insights. He advised his readers to ``live mindfully and fully 
every moment. Keep hope alive. . . . When the time comes to pass over 
to the other side, try to embrace that passage with dignity and grace 
knowing you have done well.'' Peter Douglas certainly did just that.
  On behalf of the people of California, who have benefitted so much 
from Peter Douglas's life work, I send my deepest gratitude and 
condolences to his sons, grandchildren, brother, sister, and extended 
family and friends. Peter's memory and legacy will live on with 
everyone who loves the California coast and our priceless natural 
heritage, which he did so much to preserve and protect.

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