[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E48]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CATHY GERAGHTY, A FORCE OF NATURE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2024

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Chicago Wilderness 
Alliance in honoring Ms. Cathy Geraghty, a 2023 recipient of the Dr. 
George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award. This award commends outstanding 
work in the field of conservation.
  Cathy is a true champion of biodiversity. Through her work as the 
Director of External and Strategic Initiatives with the Forest 
Preserves of Cook County, Cathy has worked tirelessly to protect the 
environment. When she isn't working, she spends her free time serving 
as a proud member of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance Steering 
Committee. During her two-decade long career with the Forest Preserves 
of Cook County, Cathy has pushed the organization forward in tackling 
conservation issues, particularly with her drafting of the Next Century 
Conservation Plan. The Forest Preserves of Cook County is the first 
forest preserve district in the United States, and this ambitious plan 
continues our legacy as leader in the space of forest preservation and 
restoration. With an implementation strategy that includes volunteer 
outreach, tying the preserves to the economic future of Chicago, 
restoring 30,000 acres to full health, and leading with transparency, 
this plan will continue to improve our forest preserves and increase 
the community that supports them.
  Cathy is truly a force of nature, and I could not be prouder of the 
work my friend has done to support our environment. Mr. Speaker, please 
join me and all our colleagues in the House of Representatives in 
recognizing Ms. Geraghty's service and congratulating her on receiving 
the Force of Nature Award.

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