[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 82 (Friday, May 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING DR. KERSTIN WASSON

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Kerstin 
Wasson, the research coordinator to the Elkhorn Slough National 
Estuarine Research Reserve, one of the many environmental crown jewels 
in my district on the central coast of California.
  This week, Dr. Wasson received the 2018 National Wetlands Award for 
Science Research. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Wasson's 
extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our 
Nation's wetlands. For more than 18 years, Dr. Wasson has distinguished 
herself as a researcher, conservationist, and mentor at the Elkhorn 
Slough. It is a great fit for her as it is one of California's few 
remaining coastal wetlands and a valuable, ecological asset to our 
community and, I believe, our country.
  The Elkhorn Slough reserve manager, Dave Feliz, said Dr. Wasson is a 
secret weapon to protect our Nation's estuaries. She has been 
instrumental in informing coastal decisionmakers and implementing 
initiatives that protect the Elkhorn Slough.
  I thank Dr. Wasson, a wetland hero, for her work and congratulate her 
for this honor.

                          ____________________