[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E221-E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EFFIE YEAW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Effie Yeaw 
Nature Center as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. As its board of 
directors, staff, volunteers, and local nature enthusiasts gather to 
celebrate this wonderful occasion, I ask all of my colleagues to join 
men in recognizing and honoring the Effie Yeaw Nature Center for its 
contributions to the Sacramento Region.
  The American River is an incredibly important part of our region and 
Effie Yeaw is the only environmental education center on the 23-mile 
American River Parkway. The 80-acre nature preserve with river access, 
oak woodlands, meadows, and ponds truly engages children and adults of 
all ages through their interactive exhibits and programs. These 
programs are essential to teaching our youth about the importance of 
protecting our local environment and the animals that inhabit it.
  In 1955 Effie Yeaw, a teacher and environmental educator, began 
leading natural history walks in an area now known as the Effie Yeaw 
Nature Center and Nature Area, located along the American River in 
Carmichael. Effie Yeaw's efforts to raise awareness for preserving the 
lands along the river have been critical to the health of our local 
ecosystem. Her concept of a ``Parkway'' along the river has served as a 
guiding principal that has shaped the landscape of our region for the 
better.

[[Page E222]]

  Though Effie Yeaw died in 1970, her legacy lives on in the American 
River Parkway she helped to establish. Her legacy also lives on in the 
Nature Center which continues to be guided by Effie's genuine love for 
nature and children. In 1960, the Director of Parks received a Land and 
Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase land along the American 
River, including the Effie Yeaw Nature Area. Construction of the Nature 
Center was completed in June 1976 and was dedicated in memory of Effie.
  Mr. Speaker, as the board of directors, staff, volunteers, and local 
nature enthusiasts gather for their 40th anniversary cleebration, I am 
pleased to honor and recognize Effie Yeaw Nature Center for its 
important role in enhancing Sacramento's community. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in wishing them continued success and thanking them for 
their service to the Sacramento region.

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