[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 170 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1647-E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING RON BROWN UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAVE 
                              MOUNT DIABLO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2015

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ron Brown of Walnut 
Creek, California upon his retirement after his fifteen years of 
service to Save Mount Diablo and over forty years as an advocate in the 
non-profit sector. Through his service with Save Mount Diablo, Ron has 
made significant contributions that have improved both the day-to-day 
operations of the organization and the conservation field at large.
  Mount Diablo is the most significant natural landscape in our region, 
and serves as the landmark that unites much of the 11th Congressional 
District. Save Mount Diablo has worked since 1971 to preserve the land 
on and around Mount Diablo to promote healthy ecosystems and continued 
access for people and wildlife.
  Under Ron's leadership, Save Mount Diablo has raised over $25 million 
to preserve thousands of acres of land, preserved several dozen 
properties, including the group's largest and most expensive 
acquisition--the 1,080 acre Curry Canyon Ranch--and has indirectly 
helped to protect thousands of additional acres throughout the area.
  Ron was instrumental in attaining voter-approved ``Urban Limit 
Lines'' of every city in

[[Page E1648]]

Contra Costa County, helping to maintain the most important wildlife 
habitat areas in the East Bay. Thanks to Ron's leadership, Save Mount 
Diablo has grown its programs and capacity, increasing from a modest 
staff of three to eighteen staff members. Save Mount Diablo has become 
a leader on issues of land-use advocacy, land purchase for inclusion in 
parks, and relationship building with local governments and developers.
  I applaud Ron's efforts to restore the historic ``Eye of Diablo'' 
beacon at Mount Diablo's summit, which commemorates the attack on Pearl 
Harbor. I am honored to have worked with Ron on many of these 
endeavors, including his efforts to improve various state park roads 
prior to the Tour de California bicycle race.
  I am grateful for Ron's many accomplishments and for the many 
partnerships he built during his time with Save Mount Diablo. I wish 
Ron all of the best in his retirement, where I'm told he hopes to spend 
his time with his grandchildren, enjoying the land he has worked so 
hard to protect.
  Congratulations, Ron, on a remarkable career that has preserved the 
ecosystems and the icon of the East Bay.

                          ____________________