[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 91 (Thursday, June 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP OF MIKE GRAYUM TO THE NORTHWEST INDIAN 
            FISHERIES COMMISSION AND THE PUGET SOUND REGION

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                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2016

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Grayum, who 
will retire this year after 11 years as the Executive Director of the 
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) in Washington State. Mike 
is one of NWIFC's original employees and has served in various 
positions with the Commission since 1976.
   NWIFC is stronger, more unified, and better positioned to serve its 
member Tribes because of Mike's service and leadership. Born out of the 
Boldt Decision over 40 years ago, NWIFC has been a critical voice in 
natural resource policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Mike 
has played an integral role in developing that voice and crafting 
policies to support NWIFC's mission and help navigate often-challenging 
issues.
   In addition to assisting member Tribes in their resource management 
practices, Mike partnered with past NWIFC Chair Billy Frank Jr. and 
Current Chair Lorraine Loomis in educating elected officials, 
government agency staff, and the public at-large on Tribal Treaty 
Rights, including producing the vital document Treaty Rights at Risk. 
Mike has played an important role in protecting these sacred cultural 
practices and joined countless Tribal Leaders from around the region in 
highlighting their importance to past, present, and future generations.
   Mr. Speaker, for the past four decades, Mike Grayum has fiercely 
advocated for policies to protect our environment, restore natural 
habitat for salmon and other species, and recover Puget Sound. He has 
undoubtedly served as a mentor to younger staff at NWIFC and member 
Tribes and has helped grow the next generation of stewards of our 
environment and protectors of Tribal Treaty Rights. Thankfully, NWIFC 
is blessed to have Justin Parker continue that tradition and lead these 
efforts in the future as the next Executive Director.
   Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join Tribal Leaders, environmental 
advocates, local elected officials, and salmon lovers from throughout 
the Pacific Northwest in expressing my gratitude today in the United 
States Congress for Mike Grayum's 40 years of leadership and 
dedication. As the proud Representative of Washington's 6th 
Congressional District in the House of Representatives, I offer my best 
wishes for a happy retirement.

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