November 13, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 181 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1432-E1433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MICHAEL MERY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2019

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of West Marin 
community leader Michael Mery, who passed away on September 28, 2019, 
at the age of 80, after a lifetime of service.
  Mr. Mery was raised in Inverness, where his family ran the post 
office, and he attended local schools through his graduation from Drake 
High School. As a youth, he spent many days exploring Tomales Bay and 
the area that would become the Point Reyes National Seashore. The 
experiences left him with a lifelong love for the region's natural 
beauty and rural character.
  Mr. Mery was a deeply rooted advocate for his beloved West Marin 
community and lived in Point Reyes Station at the time of his passing. 
He was instrumental in the creation of the West Marin Fund and a key 
figure in the creation of the fund's community grants and Giving 
Through Youth programs. The community grants program has disbursed 
nearly $3 million to local nonprofits thanks in large part to Michael's 
vision and leadership. The Giving Through Youth program was a 
particular passion of his; the program teaches local students how to 
research organizations for grant opportunities.
  Michael's activism served to sustain and nurture the agricultural 
community he called home for most of his life. He worked variously as a 
carpenter and as an organizer with the International Development 
Exchange, and ably brought his life experiences to bear as a devoted 
advocate for economic and social justice. He helped launch the West 
Marin Clinic

[[Page E1433]]

and the Tomales Bay Watershed Council, among other organizations 
dedicated to the health and well-being of West Marin's residents and 
natural wonders.
  Mr. Mery's passing leaves some very big shoes to fill, but thanks to 
his commitment to youth empowerment, a new generation of West Marin 
youth have come to the fore to bring his community message into the 
21st Century. Michael is survived by Connie, his wife of 35 years, his 
sister Megan, and numerous stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces and 
nephews.
  Madam Speaker, the depth of Mr. Mery's service to his community has 
left a positive legacy across Marin County. He will be profoundly 
missed. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to him today 
and honor his memory.

                          ____________________