[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E724-E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CHARLES STRICKFADEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2023

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with Speaker Emerita 
Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Kevin Mullin, to commemorate Charles 
(Charlie) Strickfaden upon his retirement from the National Park 
Service after 39 years of extraordinary public service.
  Charlie began his career with the National Park Service (NPS) as a 
seasonal interpretive ranger at Lava Beds National Monument in northern 
California. Over the years, he worked in 27 different park units across 
the United States including Biscayne, the Grand Canyon, the Great Smoky 
Mountains, and Denali, in a variety of roles including law enforcement, 
fire management, education and living history, and resource management.
  In each of his leadership roles, Charlie has demonstrated a 
commitment to improving the public's experience with the national park 
system. This was evident in his work as Chief Ranger of the Flagstaff 
Area Monuments, which includes the Wupatki, Sunset Crater Volcano, and 
Walnut Canyon National Monuments in northern Arizona, and the Fort 
McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland. 
At Fort McHenry, he contributed to the NPS response to 9/11, organized 
multiple presidential visits, and oversaw a large park and military 
events program.
  As Superintendent of Fort Union National Monument in New Mexico, 
Charlie created the park's first youth preservation team, increased and 
prioritized the inclusion of Jicarilla Apache and other indigenous 
peoples in interpretive activities and performances, and introduced the 
park's living history program to the State

[[Page E725]]

Legislature. During his time in New Mexico, Charlie also served as 
Acting Superintendent of 2 new National Park Service units: the 
Manhattan Project National Historical Park and the Valles Caldera 
National Preserve.
  In 2018, Charlie joined the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 
where he has served as the Chief of the Division of Communications, 
External Affairs, and Special Park Uses. His management of 
communications and relationships throughout the Bay Area has kept 
elected officials, their staff, and the public well-informed during 
difficult events such as visitor fatalities, the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
park closures. His professionalism has positively contributed to the 
reputation of NPS across the country. We and our staff have personally 
worked with Charlie as an ambassador for the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area and value his partnership, knowledge, and skills.
  Mr. Speaker, Charlie Strickfaden is a dedicated public servant who is 
committed to improving the accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of 
our national parks. I respectfully ask that we join in extending our 
heartfelt congratulations to Charlie upon his retirement from the 
National Park Service and in expressing appreciation for his decades of 
good work.

                          ____________________