Congressman Sam Farr
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
EXTENSION OF REMARKS
PAGE E949
April 23, 2009
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IN HONOR OF STEPHEN VANCE
HON. SAM FARR
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an invaluable member of the Santa Cruz community, and his humanitarian efforts all over the world. After decades of service and devotion to aiding developing countries, Stephen Vance lost his life serving the people and countries for whom he always cared.
After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Stephen became immersed in work for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In his role at USAID, Stephen spent more than twenty years working the issues of developing countries. He held numerous Country Director and Chief of Party assignments with USAID contractors and directed the USAID Mission experience. He served as the Senior Economic Development Advisor for USAID in Timor-Leste, where he managed USAID’s economic growth team. Earlier, he served two years as the Executive Director of the Soros Foundation in Mongolia. While there, he spearheaded the foundation’s transformation from a grant-making organization with more than 20 programs and 500 projects to an independent, non-partisan center for policy research and analysis and a platform for citizen participation and advocacy. Stephen designed and developed new projects in enterprise development, trade diversification, foreign investment promotion, rural and agricultural finance and agricultural development.
Stephen’s years of work reflected his desire to improve living situations and stimulate economic growth and self-sufficiency in developing countries. Though he sought to create a more perfect, peaceful world, Stephen’s life was lost at the hands of gunmen in Pakistan. At the time of his assassination, he was working for Cooperative Housing Federation International. There he directed “Livelihoods Project” in the FATA region, a program intended to infuse $750 million in economic development into the area.
Stephen was loved by many; his upbeat and optimistic attitude, as well as his zealous and vivacious approach to dealing with situations made him always a pleasure to be around. His humanitarian efforts gained him the respect and friendship of people all over the world; his zest for life and creative nature made him a person who will not soon be forgotten.
The City of Santa Cruz and the rest of the world will miss Stephen’s vision and leadership, but there is no doubt that he has left us a better place than when he first arrived.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States of Congress, I would like to honor the many accomplishments of Stephen Vance and express sincere gratitude for his contributions locally and internationally.
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