[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING DR. FREDERIC ``FRITZ'' A. REID

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Frederic ``Fritz'' A. Reid, a new California Waterfowlers Hall of Fame 
Inductee, who is being recognized for more than 45 years of 
extraordinary contributions to the preservation of waterfowl and their 
habitats.
  Dr. Reid grew up in Edina, Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong 
passion for waterfowl hunting alongside his grandfather. In 1978, he 
earned an A.B. in Biology from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. 
He later attended the University of Missouri--Columbia, where he 
received a Master of Science in 1983 and a Doctorate in 1989, both in 
Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology.
  For decades, Dr. Reid has played a central leadership role in wetland 
conservation efforts at the local, state, national, and international 
levels. He joined Ducks Unlimited in 1990, where he served in multiple 
roles, including analyst, biologist, and ultimately Director of Boreal 
and Arctic Conservation. In these roles, Dr. Reid worked closely with 
public agency conservation partners, private land managers, and 
nonprofit organizations, conducting more than 100 workshops and co-
authoring over 90 peer-reviewed conservation manuscripts.
  Dr. Reid is widely recognized for his groundbreaking research and 
leadership within Ducks Unlimited, helping to establish and strengthen 
wetland complexes throughout California's Central Valley and San 
Francisco Bay. He also helped map more than 150 million acres of 
wetlands across Alaska and played a key role in raising more than $200 
million for conservation efforts through the Boreal Conservation 
Program. Additionally, he has provided leadership to the Central Valley 
Joint Venture, San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, International Sea Duck 
Joint Venture, and Arctic Goose Joint Venture, and has served as Chair 
of the Central Valley Joint Venture.
  Dr. Reid's contributions have earned him prestigious awards, 
including the J. Martin Winton Conservation Award, the Holly Andre 
Award, and the International Canvasback Award. Dr. Reid is beloved by 
volunteers, respected by colleagues, and widely regarded as a national 
treasure in the field of conservation.
  Dr. Reid's induction into the Waterfowlers Hall of Fame is a well-
deserved honor. Established in 2006, the Waterfowlers Hall of Fame 
recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting 
contributions to enhancing waterfowl populations and their habitats in 
California. Inductees have played a critical role in conserving 
waterfowl by preserving, restoring, and enhancing natural habitats; 
managing agricultural lands with wildlife in mind; advocating for 
conservation-focused policies; and implementing land-use practices 
designed to benefit nesting and wintering waterfowl populations.
  Outside of his professional work, Dr. Reid enjoys traveling and 
spending time with his partner, Kim Forrest; her son, Forrest Hansen; 
and his Labrador retriever, Taiga.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Frederic ``Fritz'' Reid is most deserving of 
recognition and appreciation for his decades of dedication to 
conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. His work has 
left an enduring legacy that will benefit waterfowl and wetlands for 
generations to come. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor 
Fritz here today.

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