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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E792-E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF LINDA LANIER
______
HON. JACKIE SPEIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Linda Lanier, a
mother to children, bobcats, eagles and many other wild
[[Page E793]]
creatures. After 39 years as the premiere volunteer at San Mateo
County's science playground and zoo, CuriOdyssey, Linda is passing the
reigns to a new generation of leaders. If you listen carefully, you may
hear the Barn Owls screech as they learn that their most ardent friend
and promoter will be leaving.
The homes of these creatures and dozens more were constructed in the
1980's because Linda, working with other members of the Board of
Directors, led an exceptionally successful fundraising effort. This
began the pattern: Linda would set a fundraising objective and
relentlessly pursue it. Simply put, it wasn't easy to tell Linda
``no.''
Having raised funds, she then supervised construction of the animal
habitats. Today, in a peaceful setting amidst the eucalyptus trees,
children from throughout the region view falcons, hawks, frogs, snakes,
guinea pigs, otters, tortoises, tarantulas, and dozens of other
creatures which are at home at CuriOdyssey typically because they were
saved after being injured or abandoned. All are attended to by a loving
staff who communicate that love to the legions of young people wide-
eyed at the chance to see Mother Nature up close.
CuriOdyssey exists in a community dedicated to science and the
environment. Linda's credibility is so highly respected that she was
able to rescue CuriOdyssey from a near-death experience. In 2006 the
museum fell on hard times and was in danger of closing. Linda and a
small team secured $600,000 in six weeks and a matching contribution
that rescued the museum.
In more recent years, Linda and her co-chair raised $27 million for
an inspiring building that will be a landmark on the San Francisco
Peninsula. All of this passion arises from her 20+ hours of volunteer
work performed at CuriOdyssey since 1981. Linda has more roles than
simply that of fundraiser, because CuriOdyssey also provides science
education to hundreds of students, annually, and offers summer camps
and special events to educate the public. Linda is an important
influence on the offerings of this amazing facility.
Linda Lanier didn't start at CuriOdyssey. She was President of the
Junior League of San Francisco in 1984/5 and did community volunteer
work from 1974 to 1985. She is President of the Atkinson Foundation
which invests $1 million a year into thriving nonprofits in San Mateo
County. As you can see, she has an eagle eye for philanthropic
opportunities.
Linda has done all of this and also been a remarkable wife, mother
and grandmother. Her husband is Sterling Sidney Lanier IV, and they
have two married children, both of whom live in Menlo Park. They are
Leslie Lanier Trigg, [Mike] and sons Cole and Chase, as well as
Sterling Sidney Lanier V, [Jessica] and their son Dylan and daughter
Bailey. I suspect that all have donated a fair number of hours to
CuriOdyssey as volunteers.
Madam Speaker and members, I regularly took my small children to
CuriOdyssey and remember the wonder they experienced when they saw the
beehive, ran along the hallways towards an exhibit or just listened to
the sound of airplanes landing at the nearby airport. Sparking wonder
in the mind of a child is sparking our nation's future. CuriOdyssey has
had many staff, board members and other volunteers over the decades,
but I think it's fair to say that it is also a house that Linda built.
She would say otherwise, and you can't blame her for her modesty. After
all, some may wonder, what about the role of the gray fox or the
raccoon or the blue-tongued skink? Doesn't their charm also count in
the success of this science center? Particularly that skink. After all,
how much cuter does it get than a reptile with a blue tongue?
Indeed, it all counts, but the key point is that Linda Lanier counts
as a visionary, a fundraiser, and a mother to all bright minds within
her gaze. Linda's house is a house of joyful squeals, gasps of
amazement, and the occasional squeak of a creature no doubt responding,
``Thanks for coming little human. Be well, my friend.''
So now from us all in the House of Representatives, let us rise and
say, farewell Linda. I thank Linda for her leadership and vision. Be
well, our friend.
