[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF PHYLLIS FABER

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                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2023

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Phyllis Faber, 
who passed away at the age of 95 on January 15, 2023. Instrumental to 
the conservation movement in Marin County and the state of California, 
Phyllis was a trailblazing environmentalist who leaves a legacy worthy 
of high commendation.
  Born in New York City, Phyllis pursed a bachelor's degree in zoology 
from Mount Holyoke College and a master's degree in microbiology from 
Yale University. She eventually moved to Marin County in 1970, where 
she began her career as a wetlands biologist while teaching biology and 
natural history at the College of Marin. She became an effective 
advocate for wetlands restorations projects in the San Francisco Bay.
  In 1980, Phyllis and Ellen Straus co-founded the Marin Agricultural 
Land Trust (MALT), the first land trust in the nation dedicated to 
protecting farmland. Leveraging a coalition of ranchers, 
environmentalists, and community leaders, MALT has since secured more 
than 55,000 acres in Marin County and invested more than $1.8 million 
in projects aimed at improving and protecting the health of soil and 
water quality.
  Phyllis was an active member of the California Native Plant Society, 
as well as editor of the organization's journal. During her membership, 
she was credited with improving the botanical literacy of elected 
officials and helped promote the preservation of native plants in 
legislation and public policy. Additionally, she served as a regional 
officer for the California Coastal Commission and as a trustee on the 
Buck Institute Board of Trustees.
  Phyllis was known for her dedication, energy, and passionate advocacy 
for environmental stewardship. Without her efforts, Marin's landscape 
would be vastly different today. While she will be greatly missed, her 
legacy will live on through the preservation of Marin's natural beauty.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you join me in expressing my 
deep appreciation for Phyllis' pioneering and lasting work in 
conservation and extending condolences to Phyllis' family and many 
friends.

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