[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 112 (Thursday, July 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1183-E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JOYCE STEVENS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the House's attention the 
wonderful work of a California resident, Joyce Stevens. She is an 
environmentalist for all seasons and has done more in her quiet manner 
than any other single person in our community. She was a leading figure 
in the creation of the Big Sur Land Trust, the Monterey Bay State 
Seashore, the Fort Ord Beach State Park lands and numerous local parks 
and sanctuary lands protections. The residents of and visitors to the 
Monterey Bay region have Joyce to thank in no small way for the natural 
beauty they enjoy.
   Joyce was born in Seattle, Washington in 1927. She graduated from 
the University of Washington in 1954 with a degree in architecture. 
Encountering gender discrimination in this ``man's field,'' and looking 
at the experiences of female civilians working for the government, she 
decided that she would be happier in that environment. As a single 
mother, she moved to Carmel, California in 1962 and took a job as Post 
Engineer at Fort Ord, working there until her retirement more than 20 
years later.
   One of Joyce's proudest achievements was designing the Post Chapel 
at Fort Hunter Liggett. It is located near the Hacienda, which was 
designed by another female California architect, Julia Morgan. She also 
convinced (pestered, actually) the army into protecting some rare 
native plant habitat at Fort Ord. Because of her persistence she had 
the satisfaction of seeing Fort Ord receive ecology awards.
   Joyce's commitment to the community is unparalleled. She appointed 
herself full-time activist to save everything we all love about the 
Monterey Peninsula. As chair of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, 
she was devoted to protecting our local natural setting. She served on 
the Board of Trustees of Big Sur Land Trust, which is dedicated to 
preserving the wild lands of Big Sur. Joyce joined Pine Watch to 
educate people about the significance of our native Monterey Pine 
Forest, with the goal of creating a Monterey Pine State Park. She also 
created the Hatton Canyon Coalition to preserve the scenic beauty of 
Carmel and the canyon. But of all her work, my personal favorite was 
the time she spent with my father, the late State Senator Fred Farr, in 
forming the Odello Land Acquisition Fund, or OLAF, to preserve the open 
space at the mouth of the Carmel River. That land now forms the heart 
of Carmel River State Park.
   For over 20 years Joyce served on the Carmel Area Wastewater 
District. She became known as the ``Sewer Queen'' for her work to save 
the Carmel River by encouraging the increased use of treated wastewater 
and thus reduce pumping from the river. She formed the Dunes Coalition 
to save the Monterey Bay

[[Page E1184]]

shores from development. Eventually this concept grew into the Monterey 
Bay State Shore.
   Joyce Stevens has spent her life ensuring that the quality of life 
on the Monterey Peninsula be improved through sound land use 
management. She brings a voice of reason to every debate knowing so 
well the value aesthetics plays in our communities and the role 
resource protection adds to its economic value. Through interpretation, 
the education process is enhanced allowing the political leaders to 
enact best management practices. For all of us in elected office, her 
gift is our gain.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Members of the House we thank her for 
her leadership, showing one person can make a difference, and wish her 
the happiest of birthdays.

                          ____________________