[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 203 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S7047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WALTER GRAFF

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to salute Walter 
Graff for his many years of dedicated service and forward-looking 
leadership at the Appalachian Mountain Club, AMC. Walter will soon 
retire from his role as senior vice president, the capstone to a career 
at AMC that began 45 years ago as a program manager in the mountains of 
northern New Hampshire. He leaves a legacy worthy of our praise and our 
gratitude.
  The Appalachian Mountain Club is a nearly century-and-a-half old 
organization with a mission of connecting people to the outdoors. Its 
staff and many supporters not only encourage people to explore the 
natural world through activities like hiking, paddling, cycling, and 
skiing. They are also at the forefront of conservation efforts that 
seek to protect our forests, mountains, rivers, and trails for future 
generations to enjoy and cherish.
  When Walter Graff was hired by the AMC in July of 1974, he spent his 
first months on the job screening environmental films for guests at 
what was then called Pinkham Notch Camp. The AMC was a much smaller 
organization back then with a few professional positions in New 
Hampshire and administrative services in Boston. But Walter had big 
dreams and an ambitious vision for the organization. He approached the 
Pinkham hutmaster at the end of the summer with the hope of developing 
a workshop program. He got signoff, as well as an excuse to venture 
outdoors. What began as a couple classes on topics like equipment 
maintenance and snowshoeing has since blossomed into one of the largest 
outdoor education programs in New England.
  Walter has held many titles within AMC since that summer 45 years 
ago. His colleagues note that his leadership has touched every facet of 
AMC's mission. As director of education, he was influential in 
launching the group's renowned outdoor skills and leadership training 
program. As head of the AMC's Maine Woods Initiative, he was 
responsible for developing a program that promotes outdoor recreation, 
protects natural resources, encourages responsible forestry and deepens 
community partnerships. To date, the program is responsible for 
purchasing and permanently conserving 70,000 acres of forestland and 
creating over 120 miles of recreational trails.
  As he nears his retirement, Walter is fond of looking to the past to 
see how much AMC has grown and how accessible our mountains, rivers, 
and lakes are to people across the region. He drives through the White 
Mountains and sees once-empty parking lots now full of people exploring 
the richness of the natural world. Yet Walter is also looking to the 
future as he approaches his final day as an AMC employee. He knows he 
will remain connected to the outdoors and will continue caring for the 
planet.
  On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I ask my colleagues and all 
Americans to join me in thanking Walter Graff for his years of service 
and wishing him all the best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________