[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 47 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING FRANK DEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2015

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Frank Dean 
who will be retiring from the National Park Service after nearly forty 
years of dedicated service. Since 1976 when he first joined the 
National Park Service as a Ranger at Alcatraz Island, Frank Dean has 
remained committed to preserving the natural beauty and strong cultural 
heritage of America's National Parks for this and future generations.
   Over the past four decades, Mr. Dean has served the American public 
at parks across the United States, and he will retire in March 2015 as 
the General Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area 
(GGNRA). Since 2009, Frank Dean has taken on the monumental task of 
managing the GGNRA, which is the nation's largest urban park and is 
currently visited by an estimated twenty million people each year. As 
General Superintendent, Mr. Dean has been responsible for overseeing a 
staff of nearly three hundred federal employees and tens of thousands 
of volunteers, in partnership with over twenty-five affiliated 
nonprofit and commercial organizations. Frank Dean's ability to balance 
the diverse and competing interests of those who enjoy the park has 
allowed the GGNRA to continue to flourish and expand its appeal while 
keeping pace with America's changing demographics.
   Under Mr. Dean's visionary leadership, world-class art has been 
incorporated to enhance the park through unique installations, such as 
Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field and @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz 
Island. Frank Dean has pursued the park service's proud tradition of 
providing youth engagement and educational opportunities through the 
Park Youth Collaborative. He has overseen critical improvements of park 
land, notably the restoration of natural ecosystems at Muir Beach to 
benefit endangered Coho salmon populations. Frank Dean also played a 
leading role in forging the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative, a 
groundbreaking five-way partnership to secure a better future for Mt. 
Tamalpais.
   Frank Dean's effective leadership has benefited all who enjoy the 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area. While he may be retiring from the 
National Park Service, his outstanding commitment to our parks will 
continue as Mr. Dean works to preserve and protect Yosemite National 
Park as the new President and CEO at Yosemite Conservancy. Please join 
me in recognizing Frank Dean and expressing deep appreciation to him 
for his long and impressive career, and exceptional record of service 
to our great nation.

                          ____________________