[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E570-E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 143RD ARBOR DAY

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Arbor Day 
which in Illinois takes place on April 25th. This year will mark the 
65th Arbor Day celebrated by the state and the 143rd in the United 
States. This event that is held each year to recognize and celebrate 
the critical role trees play in our communities and in our daily lives.
   There are very few things as intrinsic to a nation as its land. 
Trees are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving strength 
to our people. That is why in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the 
Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the 
planting of trees. This holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed 
with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. Since then, 
Arbor Day has become a holiday celebrated throughout America and the 
world.
   In addition to their magnificent beauty, trees provide vital 
ecological services to humanity. They reduce the erosion caused by wind 
and water on our precious topsoil, reduce heating and cooling costs, 
moderate the earth's temperature, and provide habitats for our 
wildlife. In addition, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper 
and wood for our homes. Our dependence on trees acts as a reminder that 
we are eternally reliant on nature and that we must to do our best to 
pay back the debt we owe to our environment.

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   If our nation is to continue being the greatest nation on earth, it 
is important that we continue to safeguard what makes us great, our 
people and our resources. I urge each and every citizen to help make 
our communities greener, cleaner, and more pleasant places to live by 
joining me and taking the time to plant a tree. It is with great 
gratitude and pride that I rise to honor and celebrate Arbor Day and 
all that it stands for.

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