[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE GOLDEN POPPY AWARD

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2005

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the annual selection of 
The Golden Poppy Award in California. The Golden Poppy Award is given 
annually by the California State Parks Foundation to individuals or 
organizations that have made a significant contribution to protecting, 
enhancing, and advocating for California's state parks. This year's 
recipient of the Golden Poppy Award is Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
  Support of our state parks means support of our environment. This 
company has developed its own ``Toyota Earth Charter.'' In it, Toyota 
outlines its goal of growing as a company in a way that is in harmony 
with the environment, including achieving zero emissions throughout all 
areas of business activities. To that end the company pledges to build 
close and cooperative relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals 
and organizations involved in environmental preservation, including 
governments, local municipalities, and related companies and 
industries.
  One such example of the company's interest in a clean environment is 
its development of a high-mileage, low-emissions gas-electric hybrid 
vehicle, the Prius. The technology behind the Prius has made Toyota a 
leader in environment friendly hybrid technology today.
  In keeping with the spirit of their Earth Charter, Toyota supports a 
wide range of projects, and awarded a major grant to the California 
State Parks Foundation for its ``Coast Alive!'' program. ``Coast 
Alive!'' underwrites workshops to middle school teachers that enable 
them to lead their classes on field studies at nearby State Parks. 
Armed with this knowledge, their students study the fragile marine 
ecology of our coastline, experience its beauty, and come to understand 
the importance of restoring and preserving it as a valuable resource. 
With the generous donation from Toyota, the Foundation will be able to 
create interactive, multi-media materials for this program.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with the California State Parks family in 
congratulating Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. on earning the Golden Poppy 
Award, the symbol of the Golden State.

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