[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING HARRY SERAYDARIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2015

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Harry 
Seraydarian, who is retiring this year from his position as the 
Executive Director of the North Bay Watershed Association (NBWA) in 
Corte Madera, California. Mr. Seraydarian has worked tirelessly 
throughout his long and productive career to protect watershed 
resources and natural spaces in our region, both with the NBWA and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
   A lifelong advocate for the environment, Mr. Seraydarian spent most 
of his working years in government. In his decades of service with the 
EPA, Mr. Seraydarian distinguished himself as a Director of the Water 
Management Division, Director of Toxics & Waste Management, and an 
Associate Regional Administrator in the EPA's Region 9. In his final 
role, he served as an in-house ``neutral,'' using his extensive problem 
solving skills and technical knowledge to resolve disputes.
   If there's a challenge unsuited to Mr. Seraydarian, it may be 
retirement. Following a 33-year federal career, he retired in 2002, but 
quickly reentered the workforce in 2004 as the NBWA's Executive 
Director. Under his leadership, the NBWA has funded 36 projects the 
North Bay, totaling nearly one million dollars. The Association, a 
consortium of 16 regional and local public agencies in Marin, Sonoma, 
and Napa counties, has encouraged collaboration across different levels 
of government, and, in no small part to Mr. Seraydarian's efforts, has 
enhanced stewardship efforts in the North Bay watershed.
   Mr. Seraydarian's varied and significant talents, particularly in 
environmental mediation and conflict resolution, will not soon be 
forgotten. Our local environment is a better place today thanks to his 
technical abilities, managerial experience, and dedication to results-
driven conservation.
   Mr. Speaker, Harry Seraydarian's enduring commitment to improving 
our watersheds and environment is admirable and worthy of our 
recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our 
congratulations to him on his retirement and our best wishes to him on 
his next adventure.

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