[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING VIRGINIA DENT AND AURORA GAREISS

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 29, 1996

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues 
and members of the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, as they gather on Thursday, May 30, to 
present Virginia Dent and Aurora Gareiss with the 1996 National 
Wetlands Award for volunteer leadership.
  For the past 30 years, Virginia and Aurora have initiated programs to 
save the considerable salt marsh and freshwater estuaries surrounding 
Little Neck Bay in Little Neck, NY. Their heroic efforts have led to 
the acquisition of a series of wetland complexes throughout Queens, 
including, but not limited to, the 135-acre Udalls Cove Park Preserve, 
now protected by the New York City and State park systems.
  However, Mr. Speaker, Virginia and Aurora's good work extends far 
beyond this valuable project. They have tirelessly strived to put an 
end to illegal dumping--a highly detrimental practice with far-reaching 
effects. Additionally, they have long tried to promote understanding of 
the causal link between environmental and physical health. In this 
vein, Virginia has served as the executive director of the New York 
State Northeast Queens Nature and Historical Preserve Commission, while 
Aurora has served as its commissioner. Furthermore, Virginia has spent 
the past 15 years on the Queens Borough president's Flushing Bay task 
force.
  Mr. Speaker, Virginia and Aurora have come to symbolize the American 
spirit of voluntarism and generosity. I ask all my colleagues to rise 
with the grateful people of the Fifth Congressional District in 
extending to Virginia Dent and Aurora Gareiss the highest accolades of 
appreciation and admiration.

                          ____________________