[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LOS ANGELES COUNTY DRAINAGE AREA PROJECT RECOGNIZED WITH TWO AWARDS

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Los Angeles 
County Drainage Area Project (LACDA) for recently receiving the Golden 
Eagle Award at the County of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity 
Commission's 16th Annual Productivity and Quality Awards Program. The 
national award follows an earlier honor, when the project was named one 
of the American Public Works Association's Public Works Projects of the 
Year.
  Since entering Congress, completion of this project has been one of 
my highest priorities. I was pleased that Congress appropriated $157 
million during the past seven years for this work to be completed five 
years ahead of schedule. The bipartisan commitment to this project by 
area members of Congress and the hard work and extraordinary 
cooperation between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Los 
Angeles County Public Works Department ensured that construction of 
LACDA proceeded on an efficient and rapid timetable.
  Completion of the LACDA project--which began in 1996--restores flood 
protection to nearly 500,000 people living in the flood plains of the 
Los Angeles and Rio Hondo Rivers. Due to the danger of severe flooding, 
in 1998 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mandated that 
area residents and businesses carry flood insurance at an average cost 
of $400 per year. Now that the requirement has been lifted, the County 
of Los Angeles estimates that property owners will save a collective 
$22 million in annual insurance premiums.
  The successful completion of this project has been a model for any 
major public works project. The federal, state, and local agencies 
involved should be proud of a job well done. Along with flood 
protection, residents also will enjoy a cleaner, safer environment and 
more recreational opportunities. As part of the LACDA project, 22 miles 
of bike and equestrian trails along the Los Angeles River have been 
improved and enhanced with landscaping, rest stops, and safer signage.
  Receiving the American Public Works Association's Public Works 
Projects of the Year award and being honored with the Golden Eagle 
Award from the County of Los Angeles is a tribute to the many men and 
women who envisioned, planned, and finally constructed this important 
project. I tip my hat to all of them for their fine work and 
congratulate them on being chosen for these distinguished awards.

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