[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL AMERICAN CITY QUALITY MONTH

  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to recognize April as the 
21st Annual National American City Quality Month. Led by the National 
League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the American City 
Planning Directors' Council/American City Quality Foundation, this 
valuable program brings together a wide range of public and private 
partners. Their efforts demonstrate what it takes to build great 
communities, addressing vital issues to include land use, building 
design, transportation, parks and recreation, energy efficiency, and 
environmental protection.
  City planners across my State of Maine and throughout the Nation are 
calling on public and private sector leaders to commit to efforts that 
will lead to better planning, redevelopment and development of our 
Nation's cities and surrounding regions. This is essential to 
accommodate U.S. Census projected population growth of 34.5 million by 
the year 2020 and 100 million within 20 to 30 years.
  This public-private partnership is necessary to meet the growing need 
for higher quality, more energy efficient and sustainable housing, 
buildings, public transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and 
industry. I applaud these collaborative efforts to improve urban and 
rural communities across our Nation.
  This collaborative planning works. Just a few weeks ago, Forbes 
magazine named Portland, ME, my State's largest city, as the most 
livable city in America. In addition, Portland's busy Commercial Street 
was voted as one of the country's great streets by the American 
Planning Association. The transformation of Portland did not happen by 
accident. It is the result of citizens and organizations working 
together. And American City Quality Month celebrates this effort.

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