[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2174]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE AUDUBON CENTER AT ERNEST E. DEBS PARK, LOS ANGELES, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2005

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pleasure and privilege 
that I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the National Audubon 
Society on the occasion of its centennial year. Founded in 1905 to 
protect birds from adorning ladies hats, the Audubon Society has come a 
long way and has grown into a nationally-recognized environmental 
organization. Audubon's current mission is not only to conserve 
endangered bird species, but also to preserve their natural habitats 
and ecosystems. Through a network of bird sanctuaries and community-
based nature centers across the nation, Audubon is cultivating a spirit 
of environmental preservation in our communities.
  The recent inauguration of the Audubon Center at Ernest E. Debs Park 
in the City of Los Angeles, and within my congressional district, is a 
unique example of how Audubon effectively connects people to nature. 
The Audubon Center is in the heart of one of the densest urban areas of 
Los Angeles, with 25,000 people per square mile, nearly four times the 
city average. Despite this challenge, Audubon has constructed a first-
class facility focused on sustainable features such as renewable energy 
sources, water conservation, recycled building materials, and native 
landscaping. In the fall of 2003, the Audubon Center at Debs Park was 
awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum 
Rating by the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizing it as the most 
environmentally friendly building in the United States, and the second 
greenest building in the world. This notable achievement, however, is 
not the only reason the Audubon Center is special to Los Angeles. Even 
more substantial is that the Audubon Center at Debs Park is a safe 
haven for 282 acres of wilderness, 200 species of birds and animals, 
and for the tens of thousands of young children and families of Los 
Angeles.
  True to its vision of educating the public on conservation issues, 
the Audubon Society worked for over 10 years to establish a center that 
would bring nature to the City of Los Angeles. Thanks to the 
collaboration of public and private funding, Angelenos can today 
appreciate a unique nature experience in their own backyard at the 
Audubon Center at Debs Park. Working families, who often do not have 
the time or the means for nature trips, now have the option of 
utilizing the educational and family programs offered by the Center. 
The site is prime ground for exploring and observing nature through its 
282 acres of native walnut-oak woodland, grassland, and coastal sage 
scrub. The 5,023 square foot facility on site, which houses the 
children's programming and the administrative offices, also offers a 
unique opportunity to learn about conservation through its sustainable 
features. The building is supported by a 100 percent solar electrical 
system completely independent of the electrical power grid serving the 
Los Angeles area. Recycled materials, including melted down handguns 
and scrap metal, were used in the facility's construction wherever 
possible. Sustainable building materials were also used for the 
interior; furniture and cabinets were made from organic wheat board and 
organic sunflower board, both rapidly renewable materials and 
alternatives to wood.
  By remaining faithful to its founding mission, the National Audubon 
Society has accomplished another historic milestone as it celebrates 
its first century of existence. The Audubon Society has achieved an 
innovative and unique form of recreation, conservation, and education 
through the Audubon Center at Debs Park by maximizing nature, 
technology, and community support. Audubon plans to build similar 
centers nationwide to continue fostering the spirit of preservation 
that has inspired the over 12,000 visitors that have walked through the 
gates of the Audubon Center at Debs Park since its opening.
  Mr. Speaker, as advocates, supporters, and friends begin centennial 
festivities nationwide, it is with great admiration and pride that I 
ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting the National Audubon 
Society for its visionary mission of engaging millions of people of all 
ages and inspiring them to celebrate and protect birds, nature, and 
life. At 100 years young, the National Audubon Society has much vigor 
and many ideas to share with all of us. We look forward to the next 
many years of fruitful endeavors with this great American Institution.

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