[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LATE GEORGE ARNOLD

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2010

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognition of the late George Arnold, a founding faculty 
member of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, an avid nature 
lover, and a steadfast supporter of environmental initiatives. George 
passed away on May 14, 2010 at the age of 93.
  George's great love for the environment began in Carbondale, 
Illinois, on an old family farm where his mother Elizabeth and his 
father William grew apples and peaches. From those early days, friends 
and family of George knew him as an environmental trailblazer, a man 
well ahead of his time, and an early leader in the green movement of 
the 1970s.
  George received his Doctorate in Environmental Science from 
Washington University in St. Louis in 1964, proudly boasting the 
university's first doctorate in air pollution. He also received a 
Master's Degree in physics and a Bachelor's Degree in education, 
physics, and mathematics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
  Though George completed his education at Southern Illinois and 
Washington University in St. Louis, he never left academia. He taught 
classes at Kemper Military School, and moved on to teach physics, 
navigation, and meteorology at Glenview Naval Air Station following his 
enlistment in the U.S. Naval Reserve. George then became a founding 
member of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he returned 
as a staple of the college faculty and an influential member of the 
technology and engineering department. Most notably, Arnold was vital 
in creating a new environmental studies program for the university in 
the 1960s.
  George was also essential to the green movement outside of education. 
He laid the foundation for a rich Madison County trails system, 
advocating for bike trails around the area. His hard work and 
dedication led some to call him ``the grandfather of Illinois 
bikeways.'' In addition, he spent time lobbying for additional mass 
transit, determined to create livable and accessible communities.
  George Arnold was active in numerous organizations and groups. He was 
the President of the Lewis and Clark Society, archivist for Marquette-
Joliet Tercentennial, co-chair of the Illinois-Missouri Trails 
Coalition, secretary of the Grassroots Trailnet Committee, chairman of 
the Piasa Palisades Sierra Group, and president of the Vadalabene 
Nature Trail Volunteers.
  As a celebrated environmental activist and educator, George received 
several awards and honors. He received the Edwardsville Meritorious 
Service Award and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 
Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime commitment to the 
environment. His efforts in securing outstanding bike trails around the 
region led Madison County Transit to honor him once more.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me to express appreciation 
and gratitude to Mr. George Arnold for his countless contributions to 
Madison County and to all of Southwestern Illinois.

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