[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING BETTE MIDLER AND THE NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Bette Midler and 
the New York Restoration Project who for the last 14 years has been 
revitalizing underserved parkland and community gardens in my 
Congressional District and throughout the City of New York. Restoration 
of our beloved parks and gardens has promoted in my community a sense 
of ownership and civic pride leading residents to preserve their 
beloved recreational areas.
  Bette Midler first got the attention of this Congress when she took 
to national syndicated television in 1994 and confessed that if she had 
not gone into entertainment she probably would have pursued a career as 
an urban planner, and she certainly has moved to the forefront in 
promoting livability with her personal advocacy and investment.
  This was most apparent when she spearheaded the rescue of 112 parks 
and community gardens in New York City when then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani 
threatened to auction these small gardens to the highest bidder for 
redevelopment. Had Bette not stepped in, along with the Trust for 
Public Land and the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a great number 
of New Yorkers would have lost their sprawling parks and adored 
gardens.
  New York Restoration Project was founded by Bette Midler in 1995 as 
the ``conservancy of forgotten places.'' NYRP reclaims, restores and 
revitalizes neglected parks, community gardens and waterfronts 
throughout New York City--focusing especially on underserved 
neighborhoods. NYRP is also the lead non-profit partner of Mayor 
Bloomberg's PlaNYC MillionTreesNYC, the most ambitious public-private 
initiative in the country, dedicated to planting one million new trees 
in New York City by 2017.
  For 14 years, NYRP has recognized that the challenges facing New York 
City's natural environment are significant. Dramatic increases in 
population, shortage of green spaces, insufficient tree canopy, and 
unsatisfactory environmental education are some of the compelling 
obstacles facing our great city, especially in low-income 
neighborhoods. As a result of these pressing issues, the City is facing 
dangerously high rates of obesity and diabetes; dramatic climate 
changes with rising temperatures and sea levels; devastatingly poor air 
quality and growing asthma rates; and lack of knowledge of, and respect 
for, the natural environment among younger generations. NYRP is able to 
combat the negative effects of these concerns through five core 
initiatives: Park Reclamation and Beautification, Community Garden 
Design Excellence Program, Community Outreach, Environmental Education 
Programming, and MillionTreesNYC Tree Planting and Stewardship.
  As a permanent operational partner with local communities and city 
agencies, NYRP supplies labor, materials, project design and 
management, and environmental educational programs throughout the 
city's green spaces. NYRP has removed more than 1,900 tons of garbage 
and debris from New York City parks and public spaces; created Swindler 
Cove Park on the Harlem River, on the site of what was once an illegal 
dumping ground; planted more than 200,000 trees as part of 
MillionTreesNYC, a public-private partnership between the New York City 
Department of Parks and Recreation and NYRP; undertaken the care of 
Fort Washington Park, Fort Tryon Park, Highbridge Park, Bridge Park, 
and Roberto Clemente State Park; saved 114 community gardens from 
commercial development; and served thousands of youth and families with 
after-school and school-day outdoor learning and public programs.
  So Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join 
me in recognizing my good friend Bette Midler for all her contributions 
to our parks and such a remarkable and impressive organization like the 
New York Restoration Project who, under the leadership of Executive 
Director Drew Becher, has transformed and beautified the parks and 
community gardens of my district and the city of New York.

                          ____________________