[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2162-H2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 91ST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 97) 
recognizing the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 97

       Whereas The Garden Club of America is holding its 91st 
     annual meeting in Washington, DC April 24 through 27, 2004;
       Whereas The Garden Club of America has 195 member clubs in 
     40 States and the District of Columbia, representing more 
     than 17,000 members;
       Whereas since its founding in 1913, The Garden Club of 
     America has become a recognized leader in the fields of 
     horticulture, conservation, historic preservation, and civic 
     improvement, and an influential organization in the 
     protection of America's environment; and

[[Page H2163]]

       Whereas in our Nation's Capital, The Garden Club of America 
     was instrumental in the founding of the National Arboretum, 
     the development of the Archives of American Gardens at the 
     Smithsonian Institution, and the creation and installation of 
     the Butterfly Habitat Garden which now graces The National 
     Mall at the National Museum of Natural History: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress commends The Garden Club of 
     America for the many contributions it has made in our 
     Nation's Capital and in communities across the United States, 
     and sends its best wishes on the occasion of its 91st annual 
     meeting in Washington, DC, April 24 through 27, 2004.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

                              {time}  1445


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 97.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Senate Concurrent Resolution 97 recognizes the 91st 
annual meeting of the Garden Club of America. The resolution is timely 
because the Garden Club's annual meeting is here in Washington, D.C., 
this weekend from April 24 to 27.
  So what is the Garden Club of America? The club is a national 
nonprofit organization that promotes gardening activities and restores, 
improves, and protects the quality of numerous aspects of the 
environment. The club has more than 17,000 members in 195 local 
chapters across the Nation.
  We acknowledge the contributions of the Garden Club today because of 
their work to beautify so many of our Nation's communities.
  Twelve local clubs here in the District of Columbia and nearby 
Maryland will host the annual national meeting this weekend. This 
year's meeting theme is ``Capital Landscapes,'' and the distinguished 
honorary chair for the weekend is the First Lady of the United States, 
Laura Bush. It has been 20 years since Washington has hosted a national 
meeting, and so it is appropriate that we celebrate the Garden Club's 
return to our Nation's Capital.
  I encourage all Members of the House to support Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 97.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as the cold of winter warms to spring, and as trees bud 
and flowers bloom, we pause to appreciate the beauty of nature. And so 
it is appropriate on this perfect spring day in our Nation's Capital 
that we recognize the Garden Club of America for its outstanding work 
throughout the United States.
  Founded in 1913, the Garden Club of America has worked to share with 
others a respect for nature and an appreciation for its beauty. Today 
there are 195 member clubs in 40 States that work towards this 
collective goal for the benefit of us all.
  By spreading its message of conservation and civic improvement, the 
Garden Club of America has helped to develop our scenic landscape and 
thereby had a profound impact on our country. We need to look no 
further than our Nation's Capital to understand that positive impact. 
While Washington, D.C., is known for its political debate, it is 
cherished by residents and visitors alike for the lush gardens and 
parks that provide us with a respite from brick and concrete of the 
city. The Garden Club of America has been instrumental in the 
beautification of our Nation's Capital by helping to create the 
National Arboretum, the Archives of American Gardens at the 
Smithsonian, as well as the annual cherry blossom display which brings 
joy to the many people it draws from around the world.
  When George Washington chose this land to be our Nation's Capital, it 
was little more than swampland. It is now a beautiful city in which all 
Americans can take pride.
  I know that there are those who will probably even admonish the 
Congress for taking time out to acknowledge the work done by those who 
have actually worked to help make and keep America beautiful. And I 
guess the realization has to be that America would not be as beautiful 
as it is unless there were some helping to make it so.
  For this and for all the hard work the Garden Club of America does, 
we say thank you to the Garden Club. I urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), a very good friend 
of the Garden Club, who also sponsored an identical piece of 
legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 368, here in the House.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 97 recognizing the Garden Club of America's 91st annual 
meeting this week here in Washington, D.C.
  The Garden Club of America, founded in 1913, is a recognized national 
leader in the fields of horticulture, conservation, education, and 
civic improvement with 195 member clubs in 40 States and the District 
of Columbia.
  Each year the Club holds its annual meeting in a different host city. 
This year 12 Garden Clubs in the District of Columbia and the State of 
Maryland are hosting the meeting, which occurs in Washington, D.C., 
only once every 20 years.
  In our Nation's Capital, the Garden Club of America was instrumental 
in the founding of the National Arboretum, the development of the 
Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution, and the 
creation and installation of the Butterfly Habitat Garden which now 
graces the Mall at the National Museum of Natural History.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 97 to recognize the many contributions this organization has 
made in communities across our country and to send our best wishes on 
the occasion of the Garden Club of America's 91st annual meeting in 
Washington, D.C., April 24 through the 27.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend both the Senator from Maryland as well as the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) for their work to recognize the 
Garden Club of America prior to their annual meeting this weekend. I 
urge the House to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution 97.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 97 and in 
recognition of the Garden Club of America and its members in central 
New Jersey.
  Since its inception in 1913, the Garden Club of America has evolved 
from simply focusing on good gardening practices to becoming a leading 
advocacy group for environmental protection and community involvement. 
The men and women of the Garden Club work intimately with the soil and 
plants and know the value of clear air, clean water, and uncontaminated 
earth.
  I work with Garden Club members in New Jersey and here in Washington, 
DC. They come to Capitol Hill to inform members of Congress about 
necessary protections for our air and water and necessary funding for 
preserving open space. Their hands-on work, literally, plays an equally 
important role in preserving the land and water around us. Garden Club 
members disseminate information on good gardening practices and 
maintenance of healthy lawns or golf courses with a minimum of 
chemicals. They also organize community events around gardening and 
provide scholarships and fellowships for young people interested in 
studying related fields.
  The Garden Club of America has gone to great lengths to demonstrate 
the joys of horticulture to all Americans. They were instrumental in 
the founding of the National Arboretum and the Archives of American 
Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution and have played a significant 
role in the founding and upkeep of numerous other major gardens around 
the country.
  Now, more than ever, these activists are turning their energies on 
the major environmental issues of the day. They are together a force to 
be reckoned with.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and 
continuing to encourage the work of Garden Club of America members in 
their districts.

[[Page H2164]]

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 97.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution 
was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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