[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE EFFORTS OF THE VILLAGE OF BETHALTO, ILLINOIS FOR 
                       ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in commending the efforts of the Village of Bethalto for their 
service to the community and the environment by developing green spaces 
and parks around its community.
  Recently, the Village of Bethalto christened the Culp Lake Park on 
the northwest portion of the community. This newly opened public space 
is an inspiration to other cities hoping to brighten their communities 
and provide their citizens with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
  In the early 1960's, the Village of Bethalto developed a 17-acre 
lagoon site that, after years of disregard, became connected with the 
Alton Sewer Treatment Plant in 1972. While village officials sought to 
transform the lagoon for many years, it was not until Mayor Steve 
Bryant began the final push that ultimately led to the gorgeous green 
space there today.
  In 1997, Mayor Bryant and village officials established a park plan 
that envisioned not just a green space, but a versatile area with 
recreational facilities, picnic pavilions, and beautiful landscaping. 
With urban sprawl on the rise, Mayor Bryant and village officials 
decided it was time to turn this blighted area of the village into a 
family friendly environment.
  In order to keep costs at a minimum, village officials acquired grant 
funding from Madison County and the State of Illinois that led to the 
clean-up and filling in of the lagoon, the formation of a 4 acre 
fishing lake, and the ultimate creation of the park.
  Not only was this effort championed by the Village Board, residents 
of the village took it upon themselves to contribute. The Bethalto Boys 
and Girls club, for example, donated and planted trees at the park.
  Thanks to this type of effort, the Metro-East, located across the 
Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, boasts the largest 
percentage of green spaces among the top 10 metropolitan areas in the 
State of Illinois.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 
efforts of Mayor Steve Bryant and the village officials from Bethalto, 
Illinois for their dedication to environmental conservation.

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