[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF LUKE STANTON NACHBAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dimming of a 
great light in our community. Luke Stanton Nachbar was a loving husband 
and father and a vibrant spark for all those around him. He died last 
week of cancer at the young age of forty six. His departure tears a 
hole in the fabric of the Monterey Bay Area community that I represent 
here in Congress. While we all recognize the pain and loss felt by his 
family, especially his young children, and wife, we will also feel his 
loss in the public life of many communities.
  I first met Luke in 1996 when he came to my Washington, DC, office as 
a freshly minted Monterey Institute of International Studies graduate 
and returned Peace Corps volunteer on a Sea Grant fellowship looking 
for a job. Lost in the mists of time are the exact reasons why we made 
the mistake of not hiring him. But he soon landed a prime position with 
the office of New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg. That job ultimately led 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to tap him as a 
specialist in Congressional Affairs for the Policy, Planning and 
Analysis division of NOAA's National Ocean Service based in Monterey. 
In true Luke Nachbar fashion, he convinced his management that that he 
could best accomplish the job from Monterey rather than Silver Spring. 
So Luke was able to build a career in national ocean policy while 
raising his children with his wife on the central coast on Monterey 
Bay.
  Everybody who knew Luke recognized his expansive and cheerful 
personality. He was ever the optimist, which translated professionally 
into an unwavering can do attitude--always an asset when dealing with 
Congress. Personally, his optimism translated into support for the 
Detroit Tigers and love of poker. One could never fail to notice his 
presence in a room. He always made the company around him more 
cheerful.
  The greatest tragedy of Luke's early death is his children's loss of 
their father. Quinn, Flint, and Rainn were the center of Luke's life. 
No words can make up for their loss but I hope they never forget one 
important lesson that Luke epitomized--one person can make a difference 
and make the world a better place. I also want to offer my own personal 
condolences to Luke's wife, Seaberry Nachbar.
  Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in expressing 
gratitude for the public service Luke Nachbar gave to his country and 
community and to share with his family and friends our deep sense of 
loss.

                          ____________________