[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23719]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES THE NEW JERSEY SHADE TREE FEDERATION FOR 
                          75 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the New Jersey 
Shade-Tree Federation and its on-going dedication to preserving our 
communities. I applaud the work of the Federation in striving towards a 
delicate balance between our community's desires to expand, and our 
environment's need for smart, sustainable growth.
  The roots of the Shade Tree Federation can be traced back to 
September 27, 1910. For it was on this date that the State Forester, 
with the approval of the Forest Commission, called on the executives of 
124 municipalities. Some 30 delegates from 24 cities, towns and 
boroughs gathered to discuss ways to advance and protect the interests 
of shade trees throughout New Jersey. At the conclusion of this 
conference, the attendees unanimously voted to form a permanent 
association to protect and foster the interests of Shade Trees.
  In 1924 the State promoted future growth of the Federation by passing 
the County Shade-Tree Act. Then, in 1925, the Department initiated the 
movement for closer collaboration among the shade-tree commissions in 
the State and organized the ``New Jersey Federation of Shade-Tree 
Commissions.''
  Since its inception, the Federation has gathered to discuss the 
important issues of the times, ranging from the advent of chainsaws and 
bucket trucks to the devastation of Dutch Elm disease and Gypsy Moth 
outbreaks. One common thread has remained evident throughout the 
Federation's existence: trees are an important part of people's lives.
  Once again, I applaud the efforts of the New Jersey Shade-Tree 
Federation and ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing their 
steadfast commitment to preserving true assets of our communities for 
future generations.

                          ____________________