[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 125 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CYNTHIA MARTINEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleagues Representative Ron Kind, Representative Robert J. Wittman, 
and Representative Frank LoBiondo to recognize Cynthia Martinez upon 
her appointment as Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 
Cynthia is a twenty-one-year veteran of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service and a dedicated advocate of the agency's mission to conserve, 
protect, and enhance wildlife and habitats for the benefit of the 
American people. Ms. Martinez is also notably the first woman and first 
Latina to serve as the Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a 
testament to her leadership and passion for protecting our nation's 
wildlife and most treasured natural habitats.
  Over the past twenty-one years, Ms. Martinez has been a dedicated 
public servant within the Fish and Wildlife Service. Her first 
experience with the Fish and Wildlife Service as a student trainee in 
the Arizona State Office soon grew into an impressive career that 
includes managing the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Nevada 
and serving as the Deputy Chief of the Refuge System. Her long career 
of service to the Refuge System demonstrates her devotion to enhancing 
and protecting the habitats and recreational opportunities that we all 
enjoy.
  While serving as the Chief of the Refuge System Division of Visitor 
Services and Communications, Cynthia developed the Conserving the 
Future vision document, which outlines the agency's strategic plan for 
a robust and resilient Refuge System. This forward-thinking vision, 
predicated on sound, science-based planning and monitoring, illustrates 
that the future of the Refuge System is bright under Cynthia's 
leadership. Ms. Martinez also spearheaded the Urban Wildlife 
Conservation Program, an initiative to engage and educate residents on 
the wildlife that share our urban spaces and to connect them with 
nearby refuges to promote stewardship and provide an opportunity to 
reconnect with nature.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Cynthia Martinez 
at this time. Her commitment and leadership of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System will ensure that our nation's pristine wildlife habitats 
and unparalleled recreational opportunities are preserved for years to 
come.

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