[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 156 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING KARIN STRASSER KAUFFMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2018

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karin Strasser 
Kauffman for her lifetime of environmental stewardship efforts to 
improve the quality of life for the women and children of the central 
coast of California.
  Views of the Pacific coast from Highway 1 would be less spectacular 
without Karin's efforts. As Chair of the Monterey County Board of 
Supervisors, Karin helped to restrict on-shore oil facility development 
in Monterey County and worked to ensure that breathtaking views of the 
Pacific remain unobscured for public enjoyment. Through the Big Sur 
Coastal Plan, Karin was also responsible for preventing the transfer of 
water out of Big Sur, thereby maintaining its verdant fields, 
waterways, forests, and biodiversity.
  As a member of the Carmel River Watch citizen's group, Karin's 
efforts helped to create ecologically sound regulations for flood 
control, restore the riparian corridor, and improve water quality and 
wildlife corridors. This work led directly to the establishment of the 
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. As its director, Karin 
was deeply involved in water conservation, water reclamation, and water 
resource allocations for Central Coast residents, including those 
living in affordable housing. Under Karin's leadership, Monterey County 
revised flood-way and flood plain issues relating to the Carmel River 
and Toro Creek, safeguarding residents from historic flood control 
issues.
  Karin is also deeply committed to women's empowerment. Elected for 
the first time in 1984 and again in 1988, Karin was the second woman 
ever to serve on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. She utilized 
her platform to appoint many other qualified women to positions and 
committees previously controlled by men alone. For her years of public 
service and commitment to the advancement of women's representation, 
Karin was awarded the Paula Wainwright Peace and Justice Award in 2008 
by the Carmel Valley Women's Network--in addition to the Outstanding 
Political Woman of Monterey County award in 1985, Professional Woman of 
the Year in 1986, and the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Award from the 
Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments in 1993.
  I am grateful for Karin's dedication to service to the Central Coast 
and have no doubt that she is an inspiration to all who have been 
impacted by her work. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in 
recognizing Karin Strasser Kauffman's service to the Central Coast.

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