CONGRESSIONAL VIEWS: 
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA BOXER 
During my career as an elected official, I have always 
served constituents who live on and around San Francisco Bay 
and for whom the Bay is a symbol of environment values. During 
these years, I have watched with alarm as Bay fill, pollution, 
and water diversions contributed to the gradual decline of the 
largest estuary on the West Coast, one of this country's most 
valuable national resources. 
Since coming to Congress two and one-half years ago, I have 
sponsored legislation which would protect the Bay and adjacent 
coastal waters, and I have fought to retain the National Marine 
Fisheries Service Tiburon Laboratory and its critical research 
on the effects of pollutants on striped bass and other fish. I 
am a strong supporter of the Clean Water Act, especially the 
amendment which would provide much needed funds for improved 
information gathering and management of the Bay. 
I am delighted the San Francisco Bay is the Estuary-of-the- 
Month because such designation is an acknowledgement of concern 
over the status of our Bay. NOAA's Estuarine Programs Office 
and the EPA are performing an important public service by 
bringing this excellent group of Bay researchers and managers 
here to talk about the Bay's problems and by soliciting input on 
solutions from Congress and other estuarine experts. 
I look forward to an informative and productive day and I am 
prepared to offer my support to assist in implementing any sug¬ 
gestions which are designed to enhance San Francisco Bay. 
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