[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MR. TIMOTHY GONCHAROFF

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                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2021

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. 
Timothy Goncharoff, an instrumental environmental advocate, on his 
retirement from his position as the Zero Waste Programs Manager for 
Santa Cruz County.
  Mr. Goncharoff has been an environmental champion and leader on 
California's Central Coast since the first Earth Day more than fifty 
years ago. His advocacy dates back to the creation of the Santa Cruz 
Greenbelt in 1979, an initiative that preserved open space and ensured 
future development in the rapidly expanding areas of Santa Cruz, which 
included adequate affordable housing. He also played an instrumental 
role in the designation of Monterey Bay as the 11th national marine 
sanctuary in 1992.
  Mr. Goncharoff has always been committed to reducing the impact of 
plastic pollution; he wrote the world's first law banning plastic 
straws, and authored ordinances restricting plastic bags and harmful 
styrofoam products.
  The impacts of Mr. Goncharoff's work can be seen beyond Santa Cruz 
County. A law authored by Mr. Goncharoff inspired Starbucks to 
establish its policy of only using recyclable and compostable products 
in thousands of locations worldwide. His ordinance creating a drug and 
sharps takeback program paid for by the pharmaceutical industry 
inspired a statewide law now rolling out across California. Further, 
his initiative to reduce single-use personal care products in hotels 
led to a new statewide law in California and changing standards in 
hotels around the world.
  During his time as the Zero Waste Programs Manager for Santa Cruz 
County, Mr. Goncharoff developed dozens of environmental protection 
laws that have improved the environmental outlook of the county, and 
served as examples for countless cities, counties, and states.
  Mr. Goncharoff has fought for a sustainable and equitable future for 
Santa Cruz County and his leadership has inspired others to do their 
part to address the climate crisis. Mr. Goncharoff's work has been 
honored by Governor Jerry Brown with the presentation of the Governor's 
Economic and Environmental Leadership Award, and by local environmental 
advocates Save Our Shores with their Ocean Hero Award.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Goncharoff is an outstanding community leader and 
environmental advocate whose work has influenced those around the world 
to save our precious resources and create a brighter and more 
sustainable future. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
to join me in honoring him here today.

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