[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 148 (Thursday, September 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DAVID LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2018

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of David Lewis on the occasion of his 20th year as the 
executive director of Save the Bay. A nationally renowned conservation 
leader, David's work has had a remarkable impact on the preservation 
and expansion of the Bay Area's natural environment.
  Born in Palo Alto, California, David earned his Bachelor of Arts 
degree from Princeton University. During his time in college, David 
became passionate about nuclear arms control, and after graduating in 
1983, he went to work for Friends of the Earth in Washington, D.C. as 
an arms control specialist. By 1985, David became the Director of 
Policy and Legislation for Physicians for Social Responsibility and by 
1991, he went to work for Senator Carl Levin as a senior legislative 
assistant. Finally, in 1996 he became the chief operations officer for 
the League of Conservation Voters where he would conclude his 14-year 
career in Washington, D.C.
  By 1998, Mr. Lewis accepted an offer to become the Executive Director 
of Save the Bay and moved back to the Bay Area. David's leadership was 
promptly tested that year by a proposal put forward by the San 
Francisco International Airport to expand runways through bay fill. The 
proposal had wide support and appeared to be a lost cause to the 
conservation community at the time. David however, was able to provide 
cheaper and more effective alternatives that prevented further 
encroachment into the bay, a negotiating model for which Save the Bay 
has now become known. Through continued lobbying, negotiation, and 
community organizing, David was eventually able to get the airport to 
go with his proposal.
  Save the Bay's actions and advocacy have continued to grow under Mr. 
Lewis' leadership. The organization has remained vigilant in fighting 
the encroachment of development into the bay, and has expanded 
community outreach and education to create broader public stewardship. 
David's leadership has also led to greater cooperation on conservation 
policies between conservation groups, businesses, and community 
organizations. Most recently, David led a successful campaign for a 
nine-county parcel tax that will provide needed revenue for wetland 
restoration to mitigate the dangerous impacts of climate change.
  Mr. Speaker, as Bay Area shores become increasingly urbanized and sea 
levels continue to rise, the work done by organizations like Save the 
Bay will be critical for the long-term viability of the communities who 
call this region home. Therefore, please join me in thanking David 
Lewis for his ongoing leadership and service to the public.

                          ____________________