[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 206 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1098-E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING DICK STEPHENS' 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2020

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Mr. 
Garamendi, to recognize Mr. Dick Stephens on the occasion of his 100th 
birthday and celebrate his family's long legacy of shipbuilding in 
California. Dick is a world champion sailor, designer, and shipwright 
in addition to a proud husband and family man.
  Dick was born into a boat-building family and gained an appreciation 
for the trade from a young age. He was always curious and felt at home 
playing in his father's boatyard. In 1928, at the tender age of 8, Dick 
salvaged a boat and transformed it, all while ingraining in him a 
passion for boats.
  At the end of World War II, Dick and his three brothers, Theo and 
Barre took over their uncle Roy Stephens' company, The Stephens 
Brothers Boat Builders and Designers Company. Their uncle oversaw the 
construction and launching of over 700 vessels. The Stephens brothers 
contracted with the military during the Korean War and beginning of 
Cold War hostilities in 1953. They built many ships for the U.S. 
military during this period. In the 1960s, the brothers sold their 
company to the Wrather Corporation. After a short while, they

[[Page E1099]]

bought the company back and quickly gained customers with their quality 
work. Dick was known for always intently listening to his customers and 
making their dream yachts come to life, while using the finest 
materials. They built 19 Farallone Clippers and won races in one of his 
vessels many times on the San Francisco Bay.
  In the 1960's, boat design was shifted to angular cruiser loops, and 
Dick's cruisers continued on into the 1970's like the 48' Triple Crown. 
In 1974, the Stephens Brothers created their very last wooden boat, the 
50' Egret. A new era of aluminum and fiberglass began grabbing the 
attention of many designers. In 1975, they launched its first aluminum 
hull yacht. This success created over 20 more pieces of finely 
engineered art, with the start of the 85' Defiance, one of their most 
popular pieces of work. After 85 years of success, it was decided in 
the spring of 1987 that the Stephens Brothers would close their 
business.
  Throughout his career, Dick has always had his loving wife Donna by 
his side. Many have enjoyed his pieces of art in his shipbuilding 
skills. In addition to shipbuilding, Dick is also a world champion 
sailor. He won a three-race series in the International Open Cass with 
a boat he designed, Opps.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in 
the U.S. House of Representatives to join us in celebrating Dick 
Stephens' 100th birthday and his work to further the shipbuilding 
industry. His love for boats and his customers endures to this day and 
he continues to be embraced by boat lovers far and wide. We ask that 
you join us in wishing Dick and his family continued health, happiness 
and success.

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