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June 23, 2026
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextRECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP AND PIONEERING OCEAN CONSERVATION EFFORTS OF
JULIE PACKARD
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Ms. Julie Packard on her retirement after forty-two years as the founding Executive Director of the globally renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. She enters retirement as an international leader in the field of ocean conservation and as a leading voice for science-based policy reform in support of our oceans.
Ms. Packard's commitment to the ocean began on California's Central Coast as an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. After earning degrees in biology, she emerged as a leading voice for science-based ocean policy, translating research and advocacy into meaningful conservation outcomes. Her leadership guided the creation of the internationally recognized Seafood Watch program, supported California's network of marine protected areas, advanced efforts to end shark finning, and strengthened global action against plastic pollution. The Aquarium's field research has illuminated the conservation challenges facing sea otters, white sharks, and bluefin tunas in the wild.
Since the Aquarium's opening in 1984, Ms. Packard set a standard of excellence that has influenced aquariums across the Nation and around the world. Under her leadership, the Aquarium has hosted more than 73 million visitors, and nearly 3 million students and teachers have benefited from its free educational programs. With its pioneering exhibits of living kelp forests, open-ocean displays, and extensive deep-sea galleries, the Aquarium has become a defining landmark in California's 19th Congressional District and a beloved gem for tourists and locals alike.
Beyond the Aquarium, Ms. Packard has advanced deep-ocean science and philanthropy on an international scale through her role serving local impactful organizations. She is a tireless advocate for equity in science, supporting scholarships for underrepresented students and programs empowering young women and gender-fluid youth in STEM fields.
conservation, including the Audubon Medal, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award, the California Coastal Commission's Coastal Hero Award, and the 2026 Peter Benchley Ocean Hero Award. In 2019, she became the second woman in the marine sciences and conservation to be the subject of a commissioned portrait for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in honoring and celebrating Ms. Packard as she transitions from her executive role. May her legacy of leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our ocean continue to guide conservation efforts for generations to come.