[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3159-H3160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SALUTING DAVID WALLACE DOUGLAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute David Wallace 
Douglas, an author, environmental champion, social entrepreneur, and 
philanthropist.
  He continues his family tradition of service. His grandfather was 
Vice President of the United States for Franklin Roosevelt. He was 
perhaps the most impactful Secretary of Agriculture in American 
history. He was an inventor and a businessperson, and the extended clan 
continues that tradition today.
  I became acquainted with this extraordinary individual because we 
shared a passion for safe drinking water and sanitation. I worked with 
him on our Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and the subsequent Paul 
Simon Water for the World Act. David was an invaluable ally and a 
mentor for me.
  It should be noted that David is a Renaissance man. He is the author 
of three books and has written widely in publications featuring 
environmental, religious, and developmental issues. He is the 
conscience of the United States for preserving our natural heritage. He 
was a tireless champion of respect for science and public servants like 
in the EPA, the Park Service, and international development when they 
were

[[Page H3160]]

under assault in the last administration.

  He has created nonprofit NGO advocacy infrastructure to support his 
various missions. From 1986 to 2020 he founded and led Waterlines, 
which provided technical help and funding for over 1,000 water projects 
in rural communities in 15 developing countries around the world.
  In 2005 David founded the D.C.-based Water Advocates, the first 
advocacy organization devoted to increasing American support for 
affordable and sustainable drinking water and sanitation.
  He has two other time-limited advocacy organizations to further 
elevate national and global attention to WASH.
  Most recently, David is fighting to focus attention on safe water and 
sanitation for hospitals, which impacts some 2 billion of the planet's 
poorest citizens. Try to imagine treating patients in a clinic where 
there is no safe clean water to wash your hands. You can't.
  David has a gift for creating organizations for a specific time, to 
concentrate efforts and get the job done and move on. Some become 
captive of organizations. Not David. He is currently wrapping up 
efforts with the promise of spending more time in the great outdoors 
and with his family.
  However David spends his time, wherever he goes, whatever he does 
next, we are deeply indebted to him for his leadership and vision. The 
world is better for his service and for his example.

                          ____________________