[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         A SALUTE TO HARLAN AND JEFF LEE AND JOSEPH T. EDMISTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2004

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute my good friends 
Harlan and Jeff Lee at The Lee Group and Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive 
Director, of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, who are being 
honored by the Westside Urban Forum on June 11, 2004.
  Harland and Jeff Lee are receiving the Westside Prize for 
successfully creating liveable urban communities in urban Los Angeles 
while protecting the neighborhoods and the environment. The Lee Group 
has been one of the premier real estate development companies and 
market leaders in Southern California for the past six decades. I have 
known first hand of their good work for many years. The Lee Group is at 
the forefront of the ``Smart Growth'' movement that seeks to link jobs, 
housing, and economic development in compact, livable environments to 
revitalize urban areas and preserve open space. Their projects serve as 
models for future development. They address housing needs, offer 
affordable ownership and provide senior and disabled rental housing 
without sacrificing aesthetics and financial feasibility.
  For many years Harlan and Jeff have been recognized for their great 
vision, their social consciousness and their excellent taste. They have 
received many well deserved accolades. In 1998, they were selected by 
the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to participate 
in Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), a new 
housing initiative by President Clinton. On May 4, 1998, President 
Clinton attended the ground breaking for Village Green, a project of 
The Lee Group, to announce the national kickoff for the PATH program 
and designate Village Green as the first national PATH pilot site.
  The first Westside Legacy Award is being presented to Joseph Edmiston 
and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). His extraordinary 
vision and success has helped preserve, protect, restore and enhance 
significant open spaces in Southern California. I have known and worked 
with Joe for over two decades and am pleased he has been chosen to 
receive this award. He helped enact the Santa Monica Comprehensive Plan 
which enabled me to introduce state legislation establishing the Santa 
Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1979.
  For the past twenty-four years, Joe, the staff, the board and 
volunteers of the SMMC have saved over 55,000 acres of land for public 
use. The SMMC has reclaimed land in Los Angeles' urban areas for 
innovative park use.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to my good friends 
and distinguished individuals, Harlan and Jeff Lee and Joe Edmiston for 
their outstanding contributions to our community.

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