[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 102 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING THE VILLAGE OF HOMER GLEN FOR BEING NAMED AN INTERNATIONAL 
                           DARK SKY COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2012

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Village of Homer 
Glen, which will be recognized this evening as only the fourth 
International Dark Sky Community in the world. At the Homer Glen 
Village Hall in the Council Chambers, Mr. Bob Parks, Executive Director 
of the International Dark Sky Association, will present the village 
with the award. Homer Glen's commitment to recognizing the beauty of 
the night sky as well as saving energy has been recognized 
internationally and I am very proud of their accomplishment. In 
particular, Village Trustee, Margaret Sabo has been a stalwart 
supporter of this initiative, and she deserves special acknowledgment.
  In 2007, Homer Glen passed the first city ordinance of its kind in 
Illinois. By setting guidelines for the amount of light commercial 
business can emit, the village eliminated the need for establishments 
to escalate the brightness of their signs to garner attention. The 
ordinance also included a lighting cutoff at night, which reduces glare 
for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, and protects the natural 
cycle of night and day for local wildlife. I also want to recognize 
several establishments in Homer Glen that responded to the ordinance 
with effective and responsible lighting plans: Eagle Rock Community 
Church, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Silver Cross Health Center, and 
Midland Federal Savings and Loan. All of the organizations will be 
recognized at the event tonight as well as Debra Briggs Luginbuhl who 
has been a leader in developing the ordinance.
  While saving energy, the city ordinance has also allowed for local 
residents to view the breathtaking beauty of our night sky, something 
so many Americans cannot do or take for granted. Every summer, local 
organizations hold a stargazing event at Trantina Farm, where thousands 
of local residents can clearly view constellations including Bootes, 
Hercules, the Corona Borealis, and much more. This year, the event will 
be this Friday, July 13th. Over 1000 stargazers have attended since the 
beginning of the event, and local amateur astronomers from Kankakee 
Area StarGazers, the Naperville Astronomical Association, and the South 
West Astronomy Observers Group come to help others recognize the 
various celestial bodies.
  I commend Homer Glen for joining Flagstaff, Arizona, Borrego Springs, 
California, and Sark Island in the English Channel as an International 
Dark Sky Community. The residents of this village have shown initiative 
and leadership in appreciating our night sky and I hope others will 
follow.

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