[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MR. JACK DARIN ON HIS 20 YEARS OF ADMIRABLE SERVICE TO THE 
                          ILLINOIS SIERRA CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2009

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Jack 
Darin, Director of the Illinois Sierra Club and a powerful advocate for 
the environment, both in Illinois and across the nation. Mr. Darin has 
admirably served the Illinois Sierra Club for 20 years and throughout 
his tenure he has worked selflessly to promote causes including 
safeguarding our community's health, protecting the great outdoors, and 
finding viable energy solutions for the 21st century.
  Madam Speaker, I recognize Jack today not only because he is a 
personal friend of mine, but because he is an example for all that one 
person can have a substantial impact on the future on the environment. 
Jack has successfully advocated for nutrient standards in sewage 
treatment plants, encouraged Illinois to adopt the toughest mercury 
limits for coal-burning power plants and led the fight for Illinois to 
possess robust anti-degradation rules for streams and rivers. His 
efforts have resulted in greater protection for Americans against 
health hazards and expanded access to the most basic human needs: clean 
water and clean air.
  Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to protect and 
promote our great outdoors. Jack Darin has taken this mission to heart 
and is a true champion of conservation. Under his leadership, the 
Sierra Club prevented the destruction of thousands of acres of the Lake 
Calumet wetlands and in the process preserved the natural habitat of 
hundreds of plants and animals. The Illinois Sierra Club has also 
helped restore another natural treasure for the people of Illinois, the 
Midewin Tall Grass Prairie. Midewin is a unique resource because it 
both protects wildlife and provides opportunities for education and 
recreation, such as twenty-two miles of public trails for hiking, 
biking, and horseback riding.
  Despite these successes, Mr. Darin continues to find creative 
solutions to Illinois's complex environmental issues. Mr. Darin helped 
establish the Renewable Energy Portfolio for Illinois requiring 25% of 
state power to come from renewable sources by 2025. As a result, 
Illinois legislators are an example for the nation because all 
electricity for the Springfield Capitol Complex is now derived solely 
from wind power. Jack work has also extended well beyond Illinois as he 
serves as a consultant on environmental issues for the President 
Obama's campaign in 2008.
  Madam Speaker, the work of Mr. Darin, the Illinois Sierra Club and 
like minded individuals have placed environmental issues at the crux of 
our nation's political debate. Their work helps our society expand and 
grow in a responsible fashion and improve our quality of life. Thank 
you, Mr. Darin, for your 20 years of service to the Sierra Club, to 
Illinois and to your country.

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