A NorCal freshman Representative, Jared Huffman, San Rafael, just tweeted out that his very first bill passed the House and moves on to the Senate, H.R. 1411
RT @RepHuffman: I’m thrilled that the House has agreed to protect this jewel of the North Coast for future generations.'
More from the notice of its passage: House of Representatives Passes Congressman Huffman’s First Bill
“This is a spectacular stretch of coastline, and it deserves the highest level of protection we can provide. By bringing this land into the National Monument system, we will provide an accessible way for visitors to see all that the Mendocino coast has to offer.”
“The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are a national treasure and the House of Representatives is right to protect it,” said Thompson. “We need to keep working and make sure the Senate passes legislation that preserves this wonderful stretch of coastline for our children and grandchildren.”
It is very rare for a freshman member in the minority party in the House to have their first bill as a Congressman passed by the House—only five other freshmen House Democrats have passed a bill in the 113th Congress, and Huffman is one of the first freshman of either party to have a land conservation bill approved in the 113th Congress. Today’s vote follows a House Natural Resources Committee vote on Congressman Huffman’s bill on June 12, 2013.
The bill would add 10 miles to the California Coastal Trail and includes other natural jewels such as the Garcia Estuary and two miles of the Garcia River, a critical habitat for salmon and steelhead. The land includes habitat for endangered species, and the designation keeps the current recreational, ranching, and research uses of the land.
Huffman was joined by original cosponsor Congressman Mike Thompson, who previously represented this area of California’s northern coastline in Congress. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Here is Pt. Arena light as of Nov 2012...and a Map showing the Stornetta lands, along coast between Highway 1 and the light. We wondered the status of those lands when we went by last year. In fact took pic standing outsided fenced off coastal lands.
Congratulations to Rep. Huffman on his very first bill passing the house! Thanks for protecting more of California.. for all Californians. More about Jared below squiggle.
All the following is taken from his WIKI profile at WIKIPEDIA: Jared Huffman
Born in l964, as noted he is a 2013 FRESHMAN Democratic US Representative. He was elected to Congress in November 2012 with more than 70% of the vote (YEP!)...and Poor,poor baby, "His congressional district covers the North Coast from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border." ... Probably one of the most gloriously beautiful districts in our huge state of beautiful places.
Huffman was also a publicly elected director of the Marin Municipal Water District for twelve years, including three terms as board president.
And "From 2006 to 2012, Huffman was a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 6th district. Huffman chaired the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee and also chaired the Assembly Environmental Caucus.'
Huffman received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science magna cum laude from University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was a three-time All-American volleyball player. He went on to graduate cum laude from Boston College Law School in 1990.... so he has been East.
For Sports buffs: Huffman was a member of USA Volleyball Team in 1987 when the team was ranked #1 in the world and had recently won the World Championship.
For Women: Huffman became a consumer attorney specializing in public interest cases. Among his court victories was an historic case on behalf of the National Organization for Women, NOW, which required all California State University campuses to comply with TITLE IX! ... creating new athletic opportunities for thousands of female scholar-athletes throughout California.
For Greens: Huffman was also a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. And, On February 14, 2011, Jared Huffman cosponsored a bill with Paul Fong, California Assembly Bill 376, to make it illegal to possess, distribute, or sell SHARK FINs, unless for research or commercial purposes.[9]
FOR SFKOSSACKS and others interest Here is his website.Jared Huffman, U.S. Congressman