[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22-23]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                MARGARET ANDERSON, NATIONAL PARK RANGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2012

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of a fallen 
constituent, a National Park Ranger who will be remembered for her love 
of the outdoors and her co-workers, her dedication to community and 
family, and as a hero.
  Mr. Speaker, Ranger Margaret Anderson was killed on January 1 while 
performing her duties at Mt. Rainier National Park. The senseless and 
heartbreaking act of violence ended the life of a public servant and 
law enforcement officer who respected and enjoyed her colleagues and 
the natural world. Washington State has a long tradition of outdoor 
enthusiasm and it is because of Rangers like

[[Page 23]]

Margaret Anderson that the people of the State explore our natural 
resources safely. She worked at Mt. Rainier for four years. She served 
as a Ranger at other locations previously and met her husband while 
performing her duties. As friends and colleagues around the country 
react to her death, Mr. Speaker, the same words get repeated: sweet, 
kind, selfless, loving. She respected and loved her colleagues and the 
same respect and love was returned.
  Margaret and her family lived in Eatonville, Mr. Speaker, a small 
community in the 8th District near Mt. Rainier. Her friends, neighbors, 
and relatives recall a woman who volunteered her time for many causes, 
and doted on her two little girls. Her husband--like Margaret, a park 
ranger at Mt. Rainier--and her two girls, ages 1 and 3, need a 
community of support. I'm heartened to know that community, because 
there is no doubt the family will get it in Eatonville. While Margaret 
was with us, she cared for her family and her community. Now, her 
community will help care for her family.
  The manner of Margaret's death will not soon be forgotten. 
Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, neither will her spirit and life. I urge 
members of this House to keep Margaret's husband Eric and her two 
daughters Anna and Katie in their prayers. As Eric, Anna, Katie, and 
the rest of Margaret's family move forward in life, I want them to know 
that Margaret is a hero and her sacrifice will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________