[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 181 (Friday, December 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING CHRISTIAN ``CHRIS'' J. SCHOPPMEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2016

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Christian ``Chris'' J. 
Schoppmeyer, whose selflessness, generosity, and love for his family 
improved the lives of those fortunate enough to know him or benefit 
from his work as a custodian of the public interest.
  Born in Queens, New York on January 28, 1957 to Frederick Freyer and 
Helen Grace (Eisinger) Schoppmeyer, he was raised by his mother Helen 
and stepfather William Schoppmeyer. A graduate of Unity College in 
Maine and Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire, Mr. Schoppmeyer 
began his law enforcement career in 1977 with the New Hampshire Fish 
and Game Department. In 1980, he built on his investigations experience 
by moving to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where he enforced laws 
that protected wildlife and the land that sustains it.
  Mr. Schoppmeyer spent the last 21 years of his career as a Special 
Agent at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcing 
federal marine laws and treaties beginning in 1987. He strengthened his 
growing reputation as a passionate, principled leader and mentor. 
Former colleagues tell detailed stories about how he inspired them 
through his actions to follow in his line of work, and how we went out 
of his way for those who sought his counsel.
  Mr. Schoppmeyer gave back to his profession by being more than just a 
mentor. The leadership positions he held within the Federal Law 
Enforcement Officers Association are many; Agency President for the 
NOAA Fisheries Service, Office for Law Enforcement, Founder and 
President of the New Hampshire chapter, Vice President for Agency 
Affairs, and Vice President of Program and Development.
  For many years, Chris organized fundraiser events for the National 
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the FLEOA Foundation 
(NLEOMF) by organizing law enforcement appreciation events with the 
Boston Red Sox organization. Through his efforts, Chris raised 
thousands of dollars for both organizations. Last July, while he was 
battling terminal cancer, he organized and planned the Canine Law 
Enforcement Appreciation night at Fenway Park. This was a major 
undertaking with many moving parts, but Chris saw it through 
flawlessly.
  Mr. Schoppmeyer gave back to his community by sharing his passion and 
talents for the outdoors with children. The Newmarket Fishing Derby 
(cofounder), Newmarket School to Career program (volunteer), and 
Newmarket Conservation Commission (Chairman) are all marks of his 
legacy.
  The accomplishments and accolades tell a story of excellence across 
his endeavors. Strafford Rivers Conservationist of the Year; Chevron 
National Conservation Award, Citizen Volunteer Category; NH Governor 
Conservationist of the Year; Conservation Law Enforcement Chief's 
Special Agent of The Year; NOAA/ NMFS Bronze Award; Federal Law 
Enforcement Officers Association Investigative Excellence Award; U.S. 
Attorney's Office, Connecticut, Certificate of Recognition; Coastal 
Conservation Association, Conservationist of The Year; New Hampshire 
Congressional Law Enforcement Award; and NOAA/NMFS Silver Award.
  The theme of selflessness that permeated all aspects of his life was 
on display when he last testified before Congress on July 28, 2015. He 
endured the stress of being the sole witness for the minority with 
grace, candor, respect, and clarity without breathing a word of his 
recent stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment. He 
preferred that the focus be on providing the best defense of his 
profession and the natural world that he and his colleagues sought to 
protect every day. With characteristic humility, he described his work 
and that of his peers in the hearing; ``We protect natural resources. 
We also protect the public that visits these parks.''
  Nothing was more important to Mr. Schoppmeyer than his family. He 
loved his wife of 34 years, Terri, deeply. He spoke with beaming pride 
of his son, Travis, daughter, Erin, and his grandkids, Jakoby and 
Violet. He was irrevocably dedicated to his mother Helen Schoppmeyer, 
his Daughter-in-law Carolyn, brother Steven Schoppmeyer and his wife 
Mary, his sister Susan Gray and her husband Dennis, and his nieces, 
nephews, and cousins.
  Please join me in celebrating Chris Schoppmeyer whose selflessness, 
devotion to family, and passion for the outdoors left the word a better 
place when he left it than when he arrived.

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