[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING SUPERVISOR LAURENCE CRABTREE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TOM McCLINTOCK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2019

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Supervisor 
Laurence Crabtree, who is retiring after 50 years of service as an 
indispensable steward of our forests.
   Laurence's passion for forest service began in his teenage years, 
when he worked as a smokechaser in a youth employment program at 
Clearwater National Forest in 1969. After working in a variety of 
seasonal positions as a firefighter, timber cruiser, and forester, 
Laurence spent twenty years as a District Timber Management Officer and 
District Resource Officer on Lassen National Forest.
   After serving as a District Ranger at Humbolt-Toiyabe and Modoc 
National Forests, followed by two years at Plumas National Forest, 
Laurence took his skills to my congressional district, serving as 
Forest Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest for more than six 
years. Indeed, Laurence has spent his life as an ardent servant of our 
forests and the millions of Americans who visit them each year.
   Laurence was an explorer of our lands just as he was a protector, 
and his list of accomplishments speaks volume to his work. He 
discovered a rare moth in the Sierras that had not been seen for 140 
years, then discovered a new moth in Nevada, aptly named Pelochrista 
crabtreei. He was awarded a Proclamation of Commendation from the 
Lassen County Board of Supervisors for his community involvement as the 
Big Valley District Ranger, as well as a Quality Step Increase for 
``furthering the trust and collaborative relationships with Central 
Nevada Counties and Tribes.'' One of his proudest accomplishments was 
dedicating the Olympic Training Center at Echo Summit in El Dorado 
County as a California Historical Landmark to honor the special site 
used for training by America's top athletes.
   As wildfires ravaged nearly every corner of California, Laurence was 
at the forefront of making our forests environmentally sound and 
recreationally accommodating. Following the 2014 King Fire, Laurence's 
role as an Agency Administrator contributed immensely to the King Fire 
Restoration Project, which quickly began a complete reforestation 
process. His work over the past six years in particular has led 
Eldorado National Forest to become a regional leader in timber 
production and hazardous fuel treatment. He has received multiple 
certificates of merit for excellence in leadership and management, 
highlighting his devotion to protecting the communities and unique 
wildlife that make our western forests so special.
   Laurence's passion for serving his community extends beyond the 
forests. In both California and Nevada, Laurence served on school 
boards and chambers of commerce. Now, Laurence and his wife Denice will 
be returning to Big Valley, where he will undoubtedly continue his 
active involvement with his community while also spending more time 
with his family.
  Gifford Pinchot was explicit in his first maxim for foresters, ``A 
public official is there to serve the public and not run them.'' 
Laurence Crabtree has done just that for 50 years, and I thank him for 
decades of devotion to safeguarding our national forests for the use 
and enjoyment of the American people.

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