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[Pages S4579-S4580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN RUAIRIDH MORRISON
Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. John
Ruairidh ``Ru'' Morrison, chief of Clan Morrison, as he steps down from
his position as the founding executive director of the Northeast
Regional Association of
[[Page S4580]]
Coastal Ocean Observing Systems, NERACOOS. During his 10 years at
NERACOOS, Dr. Morrison has been a visionary in the world of ocean
observing for the people of New Hampshire, the Northeast, and this
country. I know I speak for so many others when I say that we are
deeply grateful and thank him for his service.
Originally from Scotland, Ru became a true advocate for New Hampshire
when he began his position as an assistant research professor at the
University of New Hampshire in 2003. During his tenure at UNH, Ru was
an inspirational teacher whose work advanced the science of remote
sensing. A primary focus of his efforts centered on building a better
understanding of Great Bay, a resource that many in New Hampshire
consider to be a cornerstone of our coastal environment.
When Ru transitioned to NERACOOS in 2009, he brought with him his
extensive knowledge of marine science and technology, the coastal and
ocean environment, and, most importantly, his collaborative nature,
which was instrumental in establishing a successful regional ocean
observing system. NERACOOS, 1 of 11 regional associations of the U.S.
Integrated Ocean Observing System--IOOS--addresses the ocean monitoring
and forecasting needs of the people of the Northeast.
As executive director of NERACOOS, Ru's charisma and outgoing nature,
coupled with his ocean science expertise, allowed him to bring together
scientists, resource managers, fishermen, NGOs, and the public into a
system notable for its espirit de corps. My staff and I all have many
fond memories of joining him for boat rides on Great Bay to get a
firsthand look at NERACOOS's work on the estuary. Anyone who's worked
with Ru can attest to his warmth, wit, and self-deprecating sense of
humor, which made working with him and NERACOOS a real pleasure.
Over the past decade, Ru has grown the organization's prominence and
expanded collaborations among its many users. Even more impactful,
though, is a decade's worth of Ru's infectious enthusiasm, which
invigorated the organization and its stakeholders alike. Under Ru's
stewardship, NERACOOS became a morning ritual for fishermen preparing
for their day at sea, and with the formation of the Northeast Coastal
Acidification Network--NECAN--NERACOOS has become a national leader in
facilitating regional responses to changing ocean chemistry.
Ru's influence extends far beyond his backyard. He is the past chair
of the IOOS Association; a member of the IOOS Federal Advisory
Committee; councilor of the bi-national Gulf of Maine Council on the
Marine Environment; board director of the Marine and Oceanography
Technology Network; and science advisory board member for the Lake
George Jefferson Project. I was pleased to invite him to Capitol Hill
in 2016 to testify before the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach
Committee to share his expertise with Congress. I and my staff are
greatly indebted to him for all of his advice and counsel over the
years. It is truly difficult to overstate the breadth and significance
of his service.
Ru would be the first to say that the foundation of his success is
his family: his wife Ann Michelle and their children, Alistair and
Marin. I know that everyone at NERACOOS and throughout the ocean
observing community joins me in thanking Dr. Morrison and his family
for his instrumental leadership and vision. We wish him all the best in
retirement.
____________________
