[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ROBERT BERNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Berner, who 
will be retiring after 28 years as Executive Director of the Marin 
Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) in Marin County, CA. Bob's inspiring 
leadership has resulted in the protection of countless family farms and 
ranches and the preservation of thousands of acres of farmland in Marin 
County. Today, largely through his guidance, MALT is recognized as a 
national leader in agricultural land preservation.
  Prior to MALT, Bob was Executive Director of The Foundation for San 
Francisco's Architectural Heritage and Vice-President of Finance at The 
Nature Conservancy. He is a founding member and current co-chair of the 
California Council of Land Trusts and a member of the steering 
committee of the Bay Area Open Space Council. He holds a law degree 
from Duke University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the 
University of Pennsylvania.
  MALT was founded in the 1970s by a unique alliance of 
environmentalists and ranchers who realized that development proposals 
for Marin County would destroy cherished farmland and beautiful open 
space. Bob took the reins at a time when much of the economic focus in 
the region and the nation had been on non-agricultural development. He 
proved that it is possible to foster growth and economic opportunity in 
agriculture. Thanks to his efforts, Marin is and will continue to be, 
home to renowned dairy, meat, and organic produce which are served in 
the Bay Area and beyond.
  Mr. Speaker, Robert Berner's diligent work has helped establish an 
effective national model for agricultural land preservation, enabled 
countless Marin County farms to thrive, and provided consumers with 
organic, local produce, dairy, and meat. Please join me in honoring his 
distinguished career.

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