[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE ``TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE BRONX'' 2004 CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the efforts of 
a number of Bronx-based organizations to organize a major energy and 
environmental symposium in the Bronx. This event, sponsored by the 
Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College and the Bronx 
Initiative for Energy and the Environment at The Bronx Overall Economic 
Development Corporation, will broaden the audience for, and awareness 
of, renewable and alternative energy technologies.
  For many years, the South Bronx has suffered from high levels of 
pollution, which have led to public health problems in the area. For 
instance, asthma rates among children are 250 percent higher than in 
the rest of New York City. The South Bronx can benefit greatly from the 
use of energy-efficient and clean fuel technologies. Many businesses, 
developers, and other stakeholders, however, are unaware of both what 
they can do and where they can go to find these tools. This symposium 
will answer those questions, and help make the South Bronx a healthier 
and more environmentally sound place to live.
  Mr. Speaker, the importance of this conference cannot be understated. 
This conference is an opportunity to promote technologies that can 
improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, prepare our students 
for the workforce through education and training, and promote practices 
that will help to strengthen our economy. I am confident that this 
conference will lead to greater community participation in efforts to 
improve the quality of life in the Bronx.
  I would like to thank the President of Bronx Community College, Dr. 
Carolyn Grubbs Williams for her leadership on these issues. I also 
congratulate the Center for Sustainable Energy, the Bronx Initiative 
for Energy and the Environment, and the Bronx River Research Group for 
their efforts in making this conference a reality. Lastly, I would like 
to thank the many other partnership organizations involved in the 
project, including: Rebuild America program at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research & 
Development Authority, New York City Energy $mart Communities, and 
several Bronx-based businesses.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating all the parties 
involved for their dedication to these important environmental and 
public health issues, and in wishing them continued success in the 
years to come.

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