In Memoriam: Gerry E. Studds (1937-2006)
Over
the course of his Congressional career, Mr. Studds played an active
role in developing marine-related legislation, including sponsorship
of the original Magnuson Act of 1973, which extended American
fishing jurisdiction to 200 miles offshore, and his authoring
of the National Marine Sanctuaries Reauthorization and Improvement
Act of 1992, in which the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
was officially designated.
Congressman
Bill Delahunt (left) and former Congressman Gerry Studds (standing
next to Rep. Delahunt) join photographers and representatives
from the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and sanctuary at the
opening of a photographic exhibition featuring "Creatures
from the Bank." SBNMS photo.
Among
other legislative accomplishments over the years were support
for the Marine Mammal Protection Act, drafting and supporting
the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act of 1984, the limitation
of oil drilling on Georges Bank, creation of the Boston Harbor
Islands National Recreation Area, and financing for the Coast
Guard.
Upon
his retirement from Congress, his dedication to marine issues
was recognized by his peers when the sanctuary just offshore from
his district was renamed in his honor. As part of the 1996 reauthorization
of the Sanctuaries Act, the site received a new name - the Gerry
E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
During
his tenure in Congress, Mr. Studds was a ranking member of the
Democratic contingent. He served as chairman of the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries from 1990-1994. His other leadership
positions included chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Navigation and chairman of the House Subcommittee on
Fisheries, Oceans and Wildlife.
Said
U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), "Gerry's leadership changed
Massachusetts forever and we'll never forget him. His work on
behalf of our fishing industry and the protection of our waters
has guided the fishing industry into the future and ensured that
generations to come will have the opportunity to love and learn
from the sea. He was a steward of the oceans. The Gerry E. Studds
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary put protections in place
for our waters that never before existed and has since become
a framework for protecting and maintaining marine life in Massachusetts."
Former
Congressman Gerry Studds greets visitors to a summer exhibit on
sanctuary species at a Provincetown (MA) art gallery. SBNMS photo.
Congressman
Bill Delahunt, who replaced Mr. Studds as the representative for
the Tenth District of Massachusetts, wrote: "While at home
he was known for his attentiveness to the district and the interests
of our fishermen, his contributions to our nation were much greater.
In Washington, he displayed an extraordinary grasp of complex
marine policy issues. As chairman of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Committee, he was able to build bipartisan support for many important
and controversial environmental laws, a skill that is all too
rare in Washington today. Most of all, we will remember Gerry
for his quick wit. He once boasted to me that his pivotal role
in the revival of the striped bass was not in legislating a recovery
plan, but in his inability to catch any."
After
his retirement, Mr. Studds continued to remain involved in marine
and fisheries issues, serving as a consultant on various projects.
He helped the sanctuary dedicate its Provincetown Visitor Center
in 2001, and lent his presence to openings of sanctuary exhibits
at the New England Aquarium, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
and a Provincetown art gallery. He served as an advisor to the
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, a sanctuary education
partner.
Mr.
Studds was born on May 12, 1937 in Mineola, NY but grew up in
Cohasset, Mass., a community located within the district he represented
for 24 years. He attended Yale University, where he was awarded
his undergraduate degree in history in 1959 and a master's degree
in 1961.
From
1961-1962 he served as a foreign service officer in the State
Department; then worked as an assistant in the Kennedy White House
the following year to develop a domestic Peace Corps. In 1964,
he joined the staff of U.S. Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.
(D-NJ) as a legislative assistant.
Mr.
Studds left the political world of Washington for a time, serving
as a teacher of government, politics and history at the St. Paul's
School in Concord, N.H. from 1965-1969. But the lure of the political
arena continued to attract, and in 1968 he served as New Hampshire
state coordinator for Eugene McCarthy's presidential primary campaign.
In
1970, Mr. Studds entered his first campaign for political office,
running against U.S. Representative Hastings Keith (R-MA), in
what was then the 12th District. Although he lost the election,
his interest in public service did not wane. He learned Portuguese
to better communicate with the fishing community in the district
and maintained an interest in local issues. When Rep. Keith declined
to run in 1972, Mr. Studds stepped in and won his first term in
Congress. He continued to garner support from his constituents,
and won re-election 11 times.
An
eloquent speaker with a quick wit, Mr. Studds held numerous town
meetings in this district, answering questions and listening to
the concerns of his constituents.
Mr.
Studds succumbed to complications from vascular disease and recent
injuries from a fall when walking his dog. He is survived by his
spouse, Dean Hara; a brother, Colin Studds; a sister, Gaynor Steward;
and four nephews. A memorial service will be held in November
at a time to be announced.
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