[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. EDGAR WAYBURN

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I join with friends and 
associates across the country to honor the 100th birthday on September 
17 of Dr. Edgar Wayburn of San Francisco. From the time that his 
appreciation of the American landscape began in Macon, GA, to his role 
today as honorary president of the Sierra Club, Dr. Wayburn has built a 
lifetime of conservation activism that has immeasurably benefited our 
country and the world.
  Across our Nation, 100,000,000 acres of some of the most beautiful 
landscape in the world are protected for future generations thanks in 
large part to the dedicated efforts of Dr. Wayburn. Never a full-time 
conservationist, Dr. Wayburn has dedicated weekends and hours away from 
his medical practice to protecting our wild lands and wildlife.
  From the Mount Tamalpais State Park in California to Admiralty Island 
in southeastern Alaska, Dr. Wayburn's accomplishments read as an honor 
roll of conservation achievements. He has been a true visionary in 
promotion of conservation and has inspired countless other Americans.
  One example in particular uniquely epitomizes Dr. Wayburn's legacy. 
Driving out of San Francisco International Airport, you face west 
toward the hills of San Mateo County. Beyond those hills, along the 
coast for more than 10 miles to the south and for 75 miles to the north 
stands one or our country's most majestic national parks--the Golden 
Gate National Recreation Area. The park encompasses 80,000 acres in 3 
counties and lies adjacent to Point Reyes National Seashore; thus more 
than 150,000 acres are preserved for habitat and wildlife and are 
enjoyed by more than 20 million people every year. Dr. Wayburn played 
an instrumental part in the founding of both of these national parks.
  For over 100 years, the U.S. military fortified the region now home 
to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. But in the 1960s the 
military became aware that its bunkers and missiles had little value 
for our Nation's defense and made plans to sell parts of the area's 
installations and fortifications.
  Bay Area residents were determined that this magnificent landscape 
not be lost to ordinary development. Here was the chance for people to 
see the natural world in an urban context, to look upon the wilderness 
from the city, and Dr. Wayburn helped lead the way. When he learned of 
a farsighted Interior Department proposal to preserve underused 
military land across the Nation for public use and enjoyment, he became 
the leader of the citizens' group organized to save the land at his 
doorstep. He also insisted upon enlargement of the original 8,000-acre 
proposal.
  Thanks to widespread support and the indefatigable efforts of Dr. 
Wayburn, the campaign to protect this invaluable natural treasure was a 
resounding success. Congress authorized the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area in 1972, which now stands as a monument to the 
committed efforts of so many like Dr. Wayburn.
  The story of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area stands as just 
one of many achievements that mark Dr. Wayburn's inimitable career.
  In 1999, President Bill Clinton recognized Dr. Wayburn's lifetime of 
service by awarding him our Nation's highest civilian honor--the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom. In honoring his achievements, President 
Clinton counted Dr. Wayburn as the person who had saved ``more of our 
wilderness than any other person alive.'' I can think of no more 
fitting praise to offer Dr. Wayburn.
  Dr. Wayburn has created a legacy that will live on for generations to 
come, and he has made our Nation and our world a better place. I 
commend him on his efforts and offer my heartfelt gratitude for his 
service.

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