[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E632-E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ELLIE COHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ellie Cohen on the 
occasion of her retirement from The Climate Center (The Center) and to 
honor her decades of visionary leadership.
  Under her leadership as chief executive officer, The Climate Center 
helped catalyze California's status as a global leader in addressing 
the climate crisis. Ellie played an integral role in advancing policies 
to modernize our electric grid and prioritize nature-based climate 
solutions, broadening the organization's impact, deepening its policy 
engagement, and building coalitions across sectors to meet the scale of 
the climate crisis. The Center was helped in efforts to reform and 
extend California's signature climate program to further reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions. She also expanded The Center's public 
education role: convening their annual California Climate Policy 
Summit, hosting dozens of webinars, producing policy briefs, and 
engaging lawmakers at global climate meetings to elevate California's 
leadership. Her work and accomplishments at The Center will shape 
policy and environmental outcomes for generations to come.
  Prior to joining The Climate Center, Ellie spent nearly two decades 
as President and

[[Page E633]]

CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science. There, she led the growing 
organization to significant accomplishments, including attaining 
official Observer NGO status at the United Nations Framework Convention 
on Climate Change as well as helping to direct nearly $100 million of 
conservation investments across more than two million acres of public 
and agricultural land. Her leadership helped coastal communities plan 
for sea level rise, guided climate small restoration on working lands, 
and strengthened partnerships among agencies, non-profit organizations, 
land trusts, ranchers, farmers, and educators throughout California.
  Ellie's leadership has been recognized with numerous accolades over 
the years both by her peers and partners including the Beyond Duke 
Alumni Award for Service and Leadership, the National Park Service 
Pacific West Region Partnership Award, and the Bay Nature Environmental 
Hero Award. She has also been designated one of the ``100 Women Taking 
the Lead to Save Our Planet.'' Ellie's professional achievements are 
matched only by her academic accomplishments. She earned her 
undergraduate degree with honors in botany from Duke University and a 
Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of 
Government.
  Mr. Speaker, Ellie Cohen is a model of climate leadership. She has 
worked tirelessly to translate climate research into real world 
progress. I have enjoyed the benefit of working with Ellie on many 
critical initiatives over the years. Her bright mind and enduring 
commitment to science-based climate action is worthy of highest 
commendation. On behalf of California's communities and those across 
our Nation who benefit from her efforts, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in expressing our deep appreciation for Ellie Cohen's decades of 
service and in extending our best wishes as she embarks on her next 
endeavor.

                          ____________________