April 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 62 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E441-E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING DAN HAIFLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Dan Haifley 
for his decades of service to the Santa Cruz community as the Executive 
Director of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, and to congratulate him on his 
retirement. Mr. Haifley has been at the helm of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a 
cornerstone of the Santa Cruz community and maritime education, since 
1999. Through his years of dedication to environmental education and 
our environment, Mr. Haifley made an immeasurable impact on our 
community on the central coast of California.
   During his tenure of twenty years with O'Neill Sea Odyssey, the 
organization grew into a pillar of the Santa Cruz community as it 
offered free oceanography and ecology programs for grade school 
children, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Mr. 
Haifley also championed the integration of oceanography into formal 
educational institutions, making the subject matter accessible to youth 
of diverse backgrounds.
   Under Mr. Haifley's direction, over one hundred thousand children 
had the opportunity to receive hands on marine biology, ecology, and 
navigation lessons aboard Team O'Neill's `Catamaran' yacht. Mr. 
Haifley's leadership was intrinsic to the extraordinary performance of 
O'Neill Sea Odyssey, which has received numerous awards and recognition 
on multiple occasions for outstanding environmental leadership and 
education.
   Mr. Haifley's conservation efforts did not begin with O'Neill, but 
rather span throughout his career. He was also the executive director 
of Save Our Shores, where he played a vital role in the creation of the 
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition, he led a 
successful campaign against offshore oil drilling throughout California 
and actively writes columns about the importance of our oceans.
   Mr. Dan Haifley exemplifies what it means to be a conscientious and 
engaged citizen of the Central Coast. Mr. Haifley influenced 
generations of citizens to cherish and preserve the environment and 
through them he leaves a legacy of respect and admiration for our 
planet. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to

[[Page E442]]

stand here today in recognition of Mr. Dan Haifley's accomplished 
career. I have no doubt that he will continue serving his community and 
giving a voice to our oceans.

                          ____________________