[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF ALAN BALDRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th birthday of 
Alan Baldridge, a leading environmental conservationist, naturalist, 
educator and dedicated community activist in my Central California 
Coast district.
   Alan Baldridge and his wife Sheila immigrated to the United States 
from England in 1962 so that Alan could work as a history and 
literature reference librarian in Portland Oregon's public library. 
Four years later, the couple moved to Pacific Grove, CA to allow Alan 
to take over the library at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine 
Station. Through his tireless work as a librarian, Alan has been able 
to use his expansive scientific expertise to inspire and assist 
countless marine biologists and researchers. An expert on ecology, 
biology and conservation Alan wrote The Bird Year published in 1980; 
co-authored the definitive book on Monterey Bay birds, and co-authored 
Gray Whales in 1991 and 2006.
   Alan's careful observation of seabirds and marine mammals made him 
not only an educator and librarian, but also a naturalist and local 
authority on the incredible array of animals that fly, swim and wash up 
on the shores of Monterey Bay. He has served as a naturalist on a 
number of Stanford alumni trips to the Sea of Cortex, Alaska and ice 
sheets off eastern Canada. Alan has readily shared his vast knowledge 
with countless members of the community, including scientists, 
students, government officials and reporters. Throughout his time in 
Monterey, Alan served as a liaison to the fishing community, and many 
records of rare seabirds first came to the attention of researches and 
birders alike through Alan's efforts to acquire and pass on 
information. Alan's other work as a Regional Editor for Audubon Field 
Notes/American Birds for Northern California, seabird editor for the 
Middle Pacific Coast Region for 12 seasons and member of the editorial 
board for the first three volumes of California Birds, made Alan an 
integral contributor to the birding community.
   A long-time leading environmental activist, Alan has utilized his 
expertise in order to support conservation movements in the area. A 
leading advocate for establishing the Elkhorn Slough National Marin 
Estuarine Reserve, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the 
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary 
and an instrumental assest in raising funds for the construction of the 
Harold A. Miller Library of Marine Biology, Alan's dedication to 
protecting the marine environment of his community has been unrivaled.
   After 23 years as librarian at Hopkins Marine Station, Alan retired 
in 1994. He and his wife Sheila continue to promote educational efforts 
to create an understanding of the marine environment of their 
community.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in wishing Alan 
Baldridge well and to thank him for his invaluable and tireless work on 
behalf of his community.

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