[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       RECOGNIZING APRIL AS NATIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2014

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, for nearly two decades, one of my 
primary missions in Congress has been a simple one--to make our federal 
government a better partner to our local communities. Specifically, I 
believe we need to focus on making our families safer, healthier, and 
more economically secure by dealing with low-tech, high-impact, 
inexpensive solutions to some of society's most expensive problems. In 
many instances that means making the communities that our landscape 
architects know how to create, a reality. As an honorary member of the 
American Society of Landscape Architects, and humble recipient of the 
Olmsted Medal, it's an honor to highlight the importance of National 
Landscape Architecture Month and the many men and women who carry out 
this critical and visionary work.
  National Landscape Architecture Month (NLAM) provides all of us--the 
professionals, the outside advocates like myself, and future 
designers--with an opportunity to more fully appreciate landscape 
architecture's benefits and contributions. In recognition of NLAM, I 
would like to highlight the landscape architecture profession and how 
landscape architects utilize design to make our lives not only better 
and more enjoyable by creating engaging public spaces, but also more 
secure by creating efficient, cost-effective infrastructure solutions. 
Landscape architecture connects the analysis, planning, design, 
management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments 
through science and design. The presence of the American Society of 
Landscape Architects (ASLA) and landscape architect professionals in 
our communities has always been positive, and as the desire for livable 
spaces grows and the natural environment continues to get squeezed by 
increased urbanization, this profession will get significantly more 
attention.
  During the month of April, landscape architects in my hometown of 
Portland, Oregon and across the country held public events showcasing 
the work of the profession that directly engage the public through 
local projects, speaking engagements, and in-school presentations. This 
year's theme, Career Discovery, introduced young people to landscape 
architecture as a possible career path and focused on introducing 
underrepresented minorities to the profession, illustrating the 
fundamentals of landscape architecture and design, and demonstrating 
how the profession can unlock human creativity and imagination to 
develop sustainable, livable spaces in communities across the Nation.
  In addition to beautifying and making our communities more livable, 
in which people can walk, bike, or take public transportation, 
landscape architecture is a critical tool for mitigating greenhouse gas 
emissions and responding to the effects of climate change and extreme 
weather events. The field is also making new strides to improve 
America's aging transportation infrastructure. Landscape architects are 
now incorporating multiuse transportation corridors that accommodate 
all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, people with 
disabilities, and people who rely on public transportation.
  Landscape architecture also touches our everyday lives in the design 
of residential communities, commercial developments, and streetscapes. 
Landscape architects manage storm water and other water quality issues 
through green infrastructure practices--reducing runoff, improving 
water quality, and recharging groundwater supplies. The use of trees 
and vegetation in urban design are critical to a sustainable 
environment, and are major combatants to ground and water pollution.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Landscape 
Architecture Month and the contributions landscape architects are 
making to transform our aging infrastructure into well-planned 
communities across the Nation. Every day, these well-qualified, 
licensed professionals continue to lead the way in improving the lives 
and safety of the American people for generations, both present and 
future.

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