May 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 81 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     RECOGNITION OF SHEIDA SAHANDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DENNY HECK

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2019

  Mr. HECK. Madam Speaker, today I recognize Sheida Sahandy for her 
extraordinary and unwavering dedication to the people of Washington 
state and efforts to restore Puget Sound. For over five years, Sheida 
served as the Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, the 
state agency leading the coordination of Puget Sound recovery.
  Sheida received her bachelor's degree from the University of 
California, Berkeley, and then went on to study law at Columbia 
University. After working as an attorney for several years, Sheida 
returned to the classroom and earned her master's degree in Climate, 
Energy, and Environmental Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy 
School of Government. Back in Washington state, Sheida used her notable 
background and legal expertise to spearhead programs and initiatives as 
Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Bellevue, where she 
created the City's first citywide environmental stewardship initiative.
  In January 2014, Governor Jay Inslee appointed Sheida to serve as 
Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, where for years she 
demonstrated her commitment to sustainability and conservancy issues in 
Washington state. The Puget Sound Partnership works with hundreds of 
partners and stakeholders to coalesce around a common goal: 
accelerating the collective effort to recover and sustain the Puget 
Sound. On federal-level issues, Sheida worked with the Congressional 
Puget Sound Recovery Caucus--which I co-chair along with my friend and 
colleague, Derek Kilmer--to convene key decision-makers here at the 
Capitol for the annual Puget Sound Day on the Hill. This event brings 
people from across the political spectrum to Washington, D.C. to 
advocate for increased federal attention to Puget Sound. Sheida also 
worked tirelessly with the Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus to 
successfully craft and garner support for the PUGET SOS Act, which 
would increase federal and state coordination on recovery efforts.
  Whether it's leading efforts at the state level to revitalize the 
salmon and orca populations, or working with legislators in Washington, 
D.C. to enact critical legislation, Sheida has always been an effective 
leader and the driving force behind the Puget Sound Partnership's 
success.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service of 
Sheida Sahandy, and I wish her and her family happiness as Sheida 
proceeds to the next chapter in her remarkable career.

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