[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF FLORENCE LaRIVIERE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary woman, 
an environmentalist before the term was invented, one who has taught 
generations the value of wetlands and forests, mountains and oceans, 
and who learned and taught so many how to protect and preserve these 
immeasurably valuable resources. A gentle giant of a woman; a quiet 
roar of a voice; a tiny footstep with a huge footprint . . . Florence 
LaRiviere has righted many wrongs and prevented many environmental 
tragedies by the sheer force of her knowledge, determination, advocacy, 
participation, and persuasive talents.
  Florence LaRiviere recognized the devastation that development was 
creating in San Francisco Bay long before others did. She saw the need 
for a National Wildlife Refuge and working closely with many others, 
she persuaded Congressman Don Edwards, despite opposition from the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, to introduce legislation creating the 
Refuge. President Nixon signed the legislation creating it in 1972.
  One of my proudest moments as a Member of Congress was the 1998 
inclusion of the 1600 acres of Bair Island in the Don Edwards San 
Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Florence worked closely with me 
on this project, tirelessly promoting it, working with the Citizens 
committee, challenging the owners of the property and using many 
creative means to move public opinion.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm very proud to have my Bay Area colleagues--Rep. Zoe 
Lofgren; Rep. Mike Thompson; Rep. Mike Honda; Rep. Jerry McNerney, and 
Rep. Jackie Speier join me in honoring this great and good woman, our 
dear friend of many years, as she is honored with the 2012 National 
Wetlands Award. This is an honor she has earned and richly deserves. We 
ask the entire House of Representatives to join us in thanking Florence 
LaRiviere for her decades of invaluable service. She is a national 
treasure and it is a high privilege to represent her.

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