[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING AL MONTNA OF DUCKS UNLIMITED

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                           HON. DOUG LaMALFA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2022

  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Al Montna, a true 
champion of conservation in Northern California. Al's involvement with 
Ducks Unlimited began in the early 1960s when his natural love for 
waterfowl hunting drew him to the organization. Like many avid 
waterfowl hunters, Al realized early on that his passion could only be 
preserved and shared with future generations through conservation.
  Al began restoring the intricate web of wetlands and uplands that 
North America's migratory birds rely on each year to fulfill their life 
cycle needs. Al continually improves the wildlife habitat on his own 
farm, transforming Montna Farms every fall and winter into a migratory 
bird wonderland. If you've traveled on highway 99 just outside of Yuba 
City between November and January, chances are, you've witnessed dozens 
of cars pulled over on the side of the road, with passengers leaning 
out the window using binoculars and cameras to glimpse the tens of 
thousands of waterfowl swarming around his rice fields. Thanks to 
dedicated conservationists like Al, people will be able to enjoy the 
wildlife of this region for years to come.
  As is the case with most family farms, and certainly with Montna 
Farms, Al has been blessed with a family that has a shared vision for 
what it means to be good stewards of the land. His two daughters, 
Nicole Montna Van Fleck and Michelle Montna Vogt share the family's 
passion for the environment and being stewards of a more sustainable 
world. Today, they have begun to pass that same passion to Al's six 
grandchildren. And of course, none of these achievements would have 
been possible without Gail Montna, Al's wife and partner for 55 years. 
Gail's grace and shared loved of wildlife shines through all of Montna 
Farms; past, present and future.
  As a third generation Central Valley farmer, Al's commitment to the 
land as well as the people and wildlife that depend on it is unmatched. 
As the Bible tells us in Luke 12:48, To those much is given, much will 
be required. The responsibility to give back to his community has been 
the forefront of Al's mission since it began nearly 60 years ago. Now, 
after many decades of committed volunteer service to conservation, Al 
is retiring as the Senior Vice President for Public Policy at Ducks 
Unlimited--a role he took over in 2017. Al's professional endeavors, 
awards, successes, innovations and accomplishments are far too numerous 
to list here. However, Al's greatest achievement is his role as a 
steward for America's wetlands and waterfowl resources, and that legacy 
will endure for generations to come.

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