[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE WORK OF DR. KENNETH STOCKING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 16, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today with sadness to honor Dr. 
Kenneth Stocking, who passed away on November 17, 2008, at the notable 
age of 97. Dr. Stocking dedicated his life and his work to education 
and the environment.
  Dr. Stocking was a pioneering environmentalist and professor emeritus 
at Sonoma State University, SSU, who spent nearly half a century 
committed to environmental and political activism. A steward of plants, 
he was lauded for his advocacy work to preserve and protect native 
California species.
  After graduating from the College of the Pacific in Stockton, Dr. 
Stocking began his teaching career and subsequently taught at several 
elementary and high schools. He later obtained a master's degree from 
the College of the Pacific and a doctorate degree at the University of 
Southern California in 1950.
  In 1964, Dr. Stocking began teaching at what was then the Sonoma 
State College. Under his nurturing and forward-thinking leadership as 
professor and chair of the biology department, the department blossomed 
into the School of Environmental Studies and Planning. In addition to 
offering degree and certificate programs, Dr. Stocking's creation also 
serves as the home for the innovative Environmental Technology Center, 
ETC, and the Institute for Community Planning Assistance. Today, ETC is 
a model for green design in our nation.
  Dr. Stocking's legacy continues to thrive today at SSU. He founded a 
botanical garden in 1973 at SSU to showcase the diverse California 
plant communities and provide a tranquil place for education and 
relaxation. In recognition of his plentiful contributions to the 
environmental sciences, faculty and students, this garden is named the 
Kenneth M. Stocking Native Plant Garden.
  During his tenure at SSU, Dr. Stocking was appointed by then-Governor 
of California Ronald Reagan as the central coast representative for the 
California Coastal Commission. He was also president of Sonoma County 
Tomorrow, chairman of the Sonoma County Conservation Council, board 
member of the Sonoma Land Trust and an active member of the Audubon 
Society, Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society and many other 
organizations.
  Dr. Stocking and his wife of 69 years, Mary, who preceded him in 
death, resided in Sonoma County for about 40 years. After his 
retirement from SSU in 1979, Dr. Stocking and Mary traveled to England, 
Europe, Africa and Asia. He is survived by a son and daughter, 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Kenneth Stocking's unbridled passion for 
protecting our environment and commitment to education will continue to 
inform and inspire residents of Sonoma County and beyond.

                          ____________________