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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E99-E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING PEGGY TURK BOYER
_____
HON. ANN KIRKPATRICK
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Monday, January 28, 2019
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Peggy Turk
Boyer, Executive Director of the Intercultural Center for the Study of
Deserts and Oceans (CEDO), a bi-national, non-profit organization whose
mission is the protection of the marine life in the Northern Gulf of
California region. She is retiring from her position in 2019 after 40
years of service.
Peggy has devoted her life to preserving the marine environment of
the northern Gulf of California and the livelihoods of the people who
live there. Her work started in 1980 in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico,
when Peggy began managing a marine research field station with her
husband. That field station grew into the headquarters of CEDO.
Peggy recognized early on that the Gulf of California region is
impacted by the social dynamics and conservation efforts on both sides
of the border. This insight produced a governance structure for CEDO
composed of two independent boards--one Mexican and one American--to
share responsibility for finding resources, developing strategies and
insuring the financial stability of the organization. Peggy has raised
millions of dollars in Mexico and the United States from international
foundations, government agencies, research contracts, individual
donors, and events to support CEDO's work.
CEDO has established trust with local fishing communities and the
Mexican government. From developing fishing gear that reduces harmful
by-catch to providing training on monitoring populations and
regulations, CEDO has been in a partnership with fishermen and women,
supporting local communities while also giving these communities the
tools to make their livelihoods sustainable and environmentally
responsible. CEDO's ongoing educational programs for children and
adults, including natural history talks, ecotours, environmental
contests, beach clean-ups, and a binational marine biology camp for
youth, have helped develop a culture of environmental stewardship.
Peggy's vision also included environmental protection. She served on
the management planning committees for both the Upper Gulf of
California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Pinacate
and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve. She was one of four
individuals who were recognized by both the Mexican and U.S. Government
for her invaluable contributions to the creation of these two Biosphere
Reserves. Peggy and CEDO have received numerous awards on both sides of
the border for their work in conservation, education, and tourism. Most
recently, CEDO received first place among recipients of the first
National Award for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture. The award was
for CEDO's work in developing cooperative, grass-roots stewardship of
the fishing communities of the Sonoran Corridor.
Peggy Turk Boyer and CEDO have been agents for meaningful change,
working tirelessly towards goals of conservation and protection for
vulnerable communities both human and marine. We honor her life's work
and her
[[Page E100]]
dedication. Her visionary ideas and many accomplishments have inspired
us all.
____________________
