[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING RECIPIENTS OF THE NINTH ANNUAL WIRTH CHAIR AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2006

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker I rise today to congratulate four 
recipients of the Ninth Annual Wirth Chair Awards. The Wirth Chair was 
started by my good friend and predecessor, former Senator Tim Wirth. 
The Wirth Chair is committed to helping governments, businesses and 
non-profit groups and community organizations form sustainable 
development partnerships that carefully balance economic, environmental 
and expanded social welfare objectives and strategies. Their tremendous 
work is widely respected throughout the country. This year's recipients 
are very deserving of this prestigious honor.
  Good Dirt Radio received the award for electronic media. The program 
is broadcast from Durango, Colorado. Good Dirt airs radio stories aimed 
at inspiring listeners to take ecological action in their own 
communities. Good Dirt is an all volunteer effort. Word is catching on 
about their good work, and I am confident that they will continue to 
grow and be successful.
  Harumi Kato of the Yamagata Broadcasting Company was honored for her 
short film entitled ``Little Steps in Colorado for Sustainable 
Living.'' The program was also broadcast in Japan in October of last 
year. She plans to have more viewings in Japan in the future because 
she wants people there to know ``that despite not signing the Kyoto 
Protocols, some Americans are really concerned about taking action in 
many ways to protect our environment by practicing sustainable 
living.''
  Rick Gilliam of Western Resource Advocates was the primary author of 
Amendment 37. This was the first time that a renewable energy standard 
was put to a popular vote. The successful initiative required that 10 
percent of Colorado's electricity be derived from renewable sources by 
2015. I campaigned vigorously for this initiative and saw firsthand how 
hard the people associated with this effort worked on the campaign. It 
was because of their commitment that the initiative was passed despite 
being out spent ten-to-one by the opposition. Morey Wolfson, Robin 
Hubbard, Ron Larson, Matt Baker, Ron Lehr, Ken Regelson and Stephanie 
Bonin were all instrumental getting Amendment 37 passed.
  Finally, the City of Denver was recognized for its historic 
sustainability initiative, ``Greenprint Denver.'' The initiative 
advances and supports the integration of environmental impacts into the 
city's programs and policies, along with economic and social 
considerations. The comprehensive set of strategies includes: 
measurably reducing greenhouse gas emissions city wide, developing and 
implementing a municipal green building policy, increasing residential 
recycling, and increasing urban forest cover for air and water quality 
and aesthetic benefits.
  I am inspired by all of these laudable efforts. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating these Wirth Chair Award recipients for 
their tremendously important good work.

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