[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FORESTRY

  (Mr. LEWIS of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, as we consider the agriculture 
relief package today, I urge my colleagues to support the increase of 
funding for Urban forestry. In my district, the city of Atlanta, loses 
50 acres of green space each day. The city, once known as the city of 
trees, is in danger of becoming the city of asphalt, strip malls and 
sprawl. Urban forestry helps to correct this problem.
  Madam Speaker, this is an important issue. It is about more than just 
a few trees and parks. We need to open green space in our cities so 
that families can come together and watch the wonder of nature. We need 
open green spaces in our communities so that young people can belt 3-2 
pitches over the fence. We need open green space in our neighborhood so 
that our seniors can sit and talk about the days gone by.
  Madam Speaker, we need urban forestry.

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