[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 25]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 33763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF DAN DeGRASSI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my cousin Dan 
deGrassi on his retirement. Dan has worked for Santa Cruz County in 
environmental preservation for most of his adult life.
  A third generation Berkley graduate, Dan deGrassi completed his 
education to enter his adult years in a world in turmoil over war, race 
relations and social mores. With deep feelings about the changes he 
observed in the societal fabric around him, he became a conscientious 
objector to the Vietnam War and as such, Dan sought alternative 
service. It was then that he started his environmental work in 1971 at 
the Ecology Center in Berkley, California.
  Realizing a connection to environmental preservation, Dan moved down 
to Santa Cruz in 1973 and began work at the local recycling center. The 
following year, Dan returned to school, this time to study in 
environmental studies, a passion that would follow him throughout his 
life. In 1974 Dan married Laurel and the two welcomed their daughter 
Jessica 2 years later.
  Starting 2 weeks after his daughter's birth, Dan began his work at 
the Santa Cruz County Advanced Planning Department, where he worked to 
preserve prime agricultural areas. Two years later, he and Laurel 
welcomed their second child, a boy, Aaron to the family. Later on Dan 
moved on to curbside recycling and helped pioneer the Materials 
Recovery Facility, which specializes in organization of recyclable 
materials.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to consider Dan both family and friend. 
His work in ensuring the preservation of the environment and his 
dedication to Santa Cruz County is inspiring and I would like to 
congratulate him on his retirement and thank him for his service.

                          ____________________