[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 44 (Monday, March 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MS. MARY BARLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 25, 2013

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month 
I rise today to honor Ms. Mary Barley, an outstanding individual and 
someone who has continuously supported South Florida and the 
Everglades.
   Ms. Barley relocated to Florida in 1971 from Wisconsin. Shortly 
after arriving in our state she became an advocate for the Everglades 
and Florida Bay. Along with her husband George, who passed away in 
1996, Ms. Barley spearheaded campaigns to build awareness around the 
Everglades and headed initiatives aimed at amending Florida's 
constitution to include the protection of it.
   Ms. Barley has served as Chairperson and/or Vice Chairman of the 
Everglades Foundation since her husband's untimely death in 1995, and 
currently sits on its Board. She also holds the position of President 
of the Everglades Trust, and serves on the National Parks Conservation 
Association's Board of Trustees. She is a Board member of the World 
Wildlife Fund Marine Leadership Committee, and its National Council; 
the National Coalition for Marine Conservation; the Atlantic Salmon 
Federation; and the Sierra Club Foundation.
   With her instrumental support Florida passed the Restoring the 
Everglades, An American Legacy Act, a bill which authorized $8 billion 
towards the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Ms. Barley, has 
consistently been recognized for her achievements and has received 
awards such as Audubon of Florida's ``Lifetime Achievement Award,'' as 
well as its ``Champion of the Everglades Award.'' Other awards include 
the Everglades Coalition's ``Steward of the Everglades'' award, and she 
was named a 1999 ``Hero for the Planet'' by Time Magazine.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ms. Mary Barley for her 
continued service to South Florida and I ask my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing this remarkable individual.