The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S2035-S2036 on March 26, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO ZEKE GRADER
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing William F. ``Zeke'' Grader, Jr., who is being honored by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and the Institute for Fisheries Resources in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the fishing community.
Zeke's roots to fishing date back to his childhood. He was raised in Fort Bragg, a small coastal town in Mendocino County, and spent his free time down on the docks helping his family's fish business. Zeke later attended Sonoma State University and graduated with a degree in political science before going to law school at the University of San Francisco.
In 1976, Zeke began working as the executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, PCFFA, a trade organization supporting commercial fishing and fishermen rights. Throughout his 40-year career with PCFFA, Zeke worked tirelessly to support fishermen and their families, serving with unmatched distinction and skill. Zeke always understood the importance of ocean conservation, supporting groundbreaking legislation such as the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the California Coastal Act and advocating for sustainable fisheries that protected against overfishing and restored fish habitats.
Zeke's passion for the ocean led him to other leadership positions, including roles as the founding executive director of the Institute for Fisheries Resources, a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, and a member of the Marine Fish Conservation Network.
A resolute and determined defender of the sea and those whose livelihoods depend on it, Zeke Grader is truly a force of nature. His work will continue to make a difference for years to come, and I send my deepest gratitude to Zeke for his outstanding service to California and the Nation.
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