[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF DON HANSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2022

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Don Hansen, who passed away on January 5, 2022.
  In 1938, as a young boy, Don and his family moved from Iowa to San 
Clemente, a beautiful beach town in my congressional district in 
Southern California. When Don turned twelve, he worked at the San 
Clemente Pier, hauling fish from arriving ships to the shore. Later, 
Don enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at the age of eighteen, 
serving four years--with two of those years stationed in Guam.
  Don moved back to San Clemente after his honorable discharge, working 
at a sportfishing company that he would ultimately buy in 1966. Each 
season, Don took over 10,000 fishermen into the waters off the coast of 
Southern California. In 1970, he was honored as San Clemente's 
``Citizen of the Year'' for his efforts.
  A year later, Don moved his operation a few miles north of San 
Clemente to Dana Point Harbor, founding Dana Wharf Sportfishing and 
Whale Watching, the harbor's first business. During that time, he 
helped jumpstart the whale watching industry and created the first and 
longest-running annual whale festival in the world, the Dana Point 
Festival of Whales. In March 2021, I was honored to celebrate the 
Festival's 50th anniversary with Don and his family.
  Beyond his role as a business owner and leader of his community, Don 
was always a strong advocate for sustainable fishing. The Coastal 
Conservation Association of California awarded Don its highest honor, 
the Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award, for his decades of work to 
improve the accessibility of sportfishing. He maintained positions on 
the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Pacific Fisheries 
Management Council, and the Sportfishing Association of California. He 
is survived by his children, David, Michael, Jeff, Donna, Jane, and 
Jenifer, and his 15 grandchildren.
  Don Hansen lived an incredible and full life. He was a central part 
of his community and his love of the ocean and his dedication to the 
conservation, understanding, and appreciation of whales changed 
Southern California for the better. We are grateful for his service and 
contributions to his community.

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