[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING GREG LAIS, FOUNDER OF WILDERNESS INQUIRY ON THE OCCASION OF 
                             HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2022

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Greg Lais, upon his 
retirement after more than 40 years as the founder and executive 
director of the nonprofit Wilderness Inquiry. Greg is a visionary 
leader whose disability advocacy, commitment to equity and enthusiasm 
for nature has opened a gateway to the outdoors for Minnesotans and 
people across the country of all backgrounds and abilities.
  Shortly after graduating from college in 1978, a lifelong passion for 
the outdoors led Greg Lais and his fellow graduate Paul Schurke to 
start organizing outdoor trips, What seemed like a somewhat ordinary 
idea became a trailblazing endeavor. Building on the success of a week-
long trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with a group of 
people with a variety of physical abilities, Greg and Paul began 
``Wilderness Inquiry''--a transformative nonprofit dedicated to 
providing access to the outdoors through world-class wilderness 
experiences to anyone, regardless of abilities.
  Under Greg's leadership over more than 40 years, the nonprofit has 
grown to offer a wide variety of trips and experiences, both across the 
nation and around the world, that welcome people from all walks of life 
and all abilities. Whether it's a first canoeing trip down a local 
river, camping in a national park, or exploring the farthest reaches of 
the world, Wilderness Inquiry empowers everyone to access adventures. 
Their amazing team of staff and outdoor leaders create trips that are 
fun, memorable and life-changing for students, families and business 
teams alike.
  Greg knew early on that the strength of Wilderness Inquiry was its 
valued partnerships with many different organizations. Today, 
Wilderness Inquiry fulfills their mission to share the outdoors with 
everyone with the help of more than 100 different entities. 
Collaboration with U.S. Interior Department agencies like the National 
Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on its Canoemobile 
initiative is one of its most successful endeavors. The Canoemobile 
``floating classroom'' experience works with urban cities and school 
districts, countless volunteers and other organizations to bring 
students from all backgrounds out on waterways around the country in 
beautiful, hand-crafted 24-foot Voyageur canoes to learn about science, 
history, geography and culture.
  Based on his own outdoor experiences, Greg understands how powerful 
interaction with the natural world is to our health, happiness and 
desire to protect our natural resources. Through these shared 
adventures, presumptions are challenged, people grow, and community is 
strengthened. I can vouch for the fact that these adventures are fun 
and inspiring. But the best proof is in the smiling faces of the more 
than 40,000 people that Wilderness Inquiry serves each year.
  Even as he approaches retirement, Greg continues to offer his 
expertise and energy to help nurture the next generation of outdoor 
leaders. This week, Greg's family, coworkers and many friends will join 
him to celebrate a remarkable career with Wilderness Inquiry.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in rising to pay tribute to the 
leadership of Greg Lais as he retires from Wilderness Inquiry after 
more than 40 years, and in honor of his ongoing commitment to 
conservation, equitable access to the outdoors and vision to create 
positive change.

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