[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TREE FRESNO IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tree Fresno on 
the occasion of their 25th anniversary celebration. Tree Fresno has 
made a significant impact on the community of Fresno by promoting 
environmental stewardship programs and educating the community on the 
importance of preserving the environment. During their quarter-century 
of work, Tree Fresno has been responsible for planting over 37,000 
trees in the greater Fresno area.
  Tree Fresno was founded in 1985 during the city of Fresno's 
centennial anniversary by a group of concerned citizens dedicated to 
improving the local environment and preserving green spaces. Initial 
efforts from this group came to fruition in the form of a telethon 
raising $27,000 which was used to purchase trees to be planted in the 
downtown and Tower District areas.
  While Tree Fresno's primary focus is on preserving green space in the 
community of Fresno, educational programs remain an important aspect of 
Tree Fresno's mission. Educational and stewardship programs such as 
Trees for Campuses & Kids and the Junior Board of Directors help teach 
Valley children the value of green spaces and caring for the 
environment. The Trees for Campuses & Kids program, which has planted 
over 4,100 trees on Fresno County school campuses, is only one example 
of the great services Tree Fresno provides to the community.
  Community support, including endowment and membership programs, has 
helped Tree Fresno accomplish a variety of projects in the Fresno 
community. Examples of these initiatives include the planting of 500 
trees along the McKinley Avenue Canal Bank and 939 trees on Blackstone 
Avenue, as well as partnerships such the ``A Shade Better'' program 
with Pacific Gas & Electric which allowed for 400 trees to be provided 
to homeowners to reduce energy costs. Through their efforts, Tree 
Fresno has planted over an average of a thousand trees a year in 
Central California. Tree Fresno also continues to make progress on the 
Friant Oak Loop-Scenic Highway Beautification and Reforestation Project 
and the Master Urban Parkway Plan which will create a network of over 
200 miles of urban trails and connect schools, parks, and recreation 
areas.
  In honor of Tree Fresno's 25th anniversary, they are launching a new 
endeavor called the ``Real Green'' program which aims to plant 100,000 
trees over the next 10 years in partnership with organizations in the 
Fresno area. Tree Fresno's 25 years of advocacy for green spaces has 
contributed immensely to making the Central Valley a better place to 
live, work and raise a family. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Tree Fresno on the occasion of their 25th Anniversary and 
applaud their tireless work and enormous contributions as they continue 
their mission to preserve green space and provide environmental 
education for the community of Fresno.

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