[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE RETIREMENT OF PIETRO PARRAVANO FROM THE BOARD OF THE SAN MATEO 
                         COUNTY HARBOR DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my congratulations to Pietro 
Parravano as he retires after 21 years of distinguished service on the 
board of the San Mateo County Harbor District. Pietro is as much an 
institution at the district as the docks, hoists and loading ramps that 
make the facility such a community treasure. His thoughtful guidance 
during his time on the board assured the public of good stewardship and 
a perspective based upon hands-on experience.
  Pietro was first appointed to the harbor district board in 1995 and 
won re-election every four years thereafter. It is easy to see why he 
has earned the confidence of the public.
  Pietro commercially fished the Anne B. out of Pillar Point Harbor for 
many years and remains a fixture at the Half Moon Bay farmers market. 
He knows the sea, the fishing industry, and the long-term needs of 
both. He is also sensitive to other public needs, such as the need for 
recreation and visitor-serving facilities at the two ports.
  Pietro, originally from Princeton, New Jersey, moved to the West 
Coast in 1966 when his father spent a sabbatical at Stanford 
University. He began his career as a teacher but dedicated most of his 
life to commercial fishing and environmental advocacy. He served as 
President of the Half Moon Bay Seafood Marketing Association from 1988 
to 1995. In 1997, he was one of two U.S. delegates to the World Forum 
of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers in New Delhi. From 1992 to 2004 he 
was a member of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen. In 2005, 
Pietro started the San Mateo County Food Alliance. He currently serves 
on the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, the Institute for Fisheries 
Resources, and the Culinary Institute of America/Singapore which brings 
students from Singapore to the Bay Area to learn about sustainable food 
sources.
  His community service is legendary in Half Moon Bay and beyond. In 
1996, Pietro was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce for his 
Community Service, and in 1999, he was recognized as an Environment 
Leader when he was president of the Pacific Coast Federation of 
Fishermen. In 2008, Pietro was the fisheries representative at the 
opening of Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. In 2013, he 
was awarded the Margi Grant Heart of Hospitality by the San Mateo 
County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In sum, he is the ``go-to'' 
person in San Mateo County for sustainable food and good fishing 
policy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pietro 
Parravano for two decades of public service and a lifetime of 
dedication to our oceans and sustainable fisheries. While Pietro is 
retiring from the Harbor District Commission, his contributions will 
continue to shape life on the coast and I have no doubt that he will 
remain active and an important voice in our community.

                          ____________________