[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31504]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


   COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON 
                         COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2007

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
  In April 1957, 40 officials from the Washington area established an 
organization to exchange ideas and work together on regional issues 
such as transportation, the environment, and public safety. This 
organization would become known as the Metropolitan Washington Council 
of Governments--or COG.
  Over the years, COG has facilitated regional responses to such 
important initiatives as cleaning up the Potomac River, creating more 
affordable housing for metropolitan residents, and the development and 
coordination of regional public safety. In addition to helping 
galvanize the region's response to the September 11 attacks, COG 
continues to facilitate the region's ongoing emergency preparedness 
programs.
  During its 50 years of existence, COG's activities have touched every 
aspect of the lives of the citizens of the National Capital region. I 
rise today to congratulate COG for 50 years of successful and effective 
collaboration and for the work it continues to do to improve the lives 
of our citizens.

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