[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             TREE CITY USA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Tree City USA 
cities located in the 26th District of Texas: Arlington, Carrollton, 
Colleyville, Coppell, Denton, Euless, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, 
Grapevine, Keller, Lewisville, McKinney, Plano, Southlake, Trophy Club 
and Westlake.
  The National Arbor Day Foundation is the primary sponsor of the Tree 
City USA program and works in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service 
Urban and Community Forestry program and state foresters. The Tree City 
USA program creates a technology-transfer network that involves nearly 
3,000 Tree City USAs in all 50 states, Mayors, City Foresters, and 
concerned citizens throughout the nation.
  The Tree City USA designation is awarded to cities that meet four 
distinct qualifications. To become a Tree City USA, a city must 
designate responsibility for public tree care to a volunteer board or 
city department; have a tree-care ordinance in effect; spend at least 
$2 per capita annually on community forestry; and proclaim and observe 
Arbor Day. Cities that fulfill these requirements display a clear 
dedication to the environment and trees in their community.
  I believe that trees and forests are very important national 
resources. Community forests help to improve the quality of our air and 
water, reduce runoff and erosion and contribute to important national 
energy-conservation goals.
  So I would like to congratulate the seventeen cities in the 26th 
District, as well as all of the other cities nationwide, that received 
the Tree City USA designation. It is my hope that other communities 
will take note of the model activities in these cities and strive to 
earn the Tree City USA distinction for their city in the future.

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