[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 108 (Friday, June 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF DOWNRIVER LINKED GREENWAYS CHAIR ANITA 
                               TWARDESKY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2022

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Anita 
Twardesky on the occasion of her retirement from the Downriver Linked 
Greenways, where she served as Chair for over two decades. Her years of 
service to the Downriver community and to our environment are worthy of 
commendation.
  Ms. Twardesky is a Michigan native and a longtime environmental 
advocate in our community and previously worked as Recreation Director 
for the cities of Flat Rock and Woodhaven before starting as the 
Community Outreach Manager for Riverside Kayak Connection. The non-
profit the Downriver Linked Greenways was launched in 1999 as a result 
of the Downriver Summit hosted by the late Congressman John Dingell. As 
Chair of the Greenways, Ms. Twardesky spearheaded multiple projects to 
extend the Downriver Linked Greenways trail system, including the 
embarking on the first Downriver trail project and the Detroit Heritage 
River Water Trail. Furthermore, she helped the organization become a 
501(c)(3) and secured over $15 million in funding for trail 
construction as well as gap analysis of the trail system. Her efforts 
have helped create over one hundred miles of trails in Downriver.
  In addition to her role at the Downriver Linked Greenways, Ms. 
Twardesky has long been a leader in Downriver. She served on the 
Healthy Trenton Coalition and helped found the International Wildlife 
Refuge Alliance. Additionally, as the founder of Destination Downriver, 
she is actively changing the perception of Downriver and attracting new 
businesses and visitors to the area. Ms. Twardesky's dedication to the 
evolution of Downriver and its community has not gone unnoticed, and in 
2019, she was awarded the Women of Achievement Leadership Award from 
the Southern Wayne Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work, Ms. Twardesky 
has headed the ``Go Impact'' program through her church, Southpointe 
Church, which supports seniors and disabled community members with yard 
and residential clean ups. A passionate volunteer, she also assists in 
feeding and housing our neighbors that are experiencing homelessness. 
Ms. Twardesky resides in Flat Rock with her husband, children, and 
grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Anita 
Twardesky for her exemplary work at the Downriver Linked Greenways. I 
join with Ms. Twardesky's family, friends, and colleagues in extending 
my gratitude to her for her tireless commitment to our community and to 
thank her for her role in Downriver's environmental and economic 
development. Though we will miss her passion for Downriver and for our 
wildlife, we wish her the very best in retirement.

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