[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THOMAS SANTIAGO ON RECEIVING THE ``GREEN LIVING AWARD''

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                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas 
Santiago for receiving the prestigious ``Green Living Award'' from the 
Alley Pond Environmental Center, APEC, on November 13, 2008. APEC, 
located in Douglaston, Queens, is a superb educational center committed 
to environmental understanding and awareness. Tom's commitment to using 
environmentally-friendly green building techniques and protocols for 
Citigroup's new office tower in Long Island City is a truly 
groundbreaking example of ``green living'' in an urban environment and 
is truly worthy of public notice and praise.
  In his role as the Managing Director of real estate for Citigroup in 
the Northeast U.S., Tom was the driving force behind Two Court Square, 
Citigroup's second 1.5 million square foot tower in Long Island City. 
The building is Citi's first ever Leadership in Energy and 
Environmental Design, LEED, Gold certified green building, the national 
benchmark for rating green buildings. Two Court Square serves as the 
``green'' model for corporate America, not only for being 
environmentally responsible, but also for demonstrating the economic 
value of money-saving ``green'' building technologies and materials.
  Under Tom's leadership, Two Court Square is LEED Gold certified 
because it meets or exceeds stringent criteria in five categories: 
Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor 
Environmental Quality and Materials and Resources. Some of the amazing 
environmentally-friendly innovations include: Electricity requirements 
are met by the purchase of 100 percent wind-power energy; over half the 
wood used in construction did not originate from logging; low-emitting 
volatile organic compound materials are used for paint and adhesives; 
90 percent of its structural steel contains post-consumer content; 2 
million gallons of water annually are saved by recycling rainwater for 
building cooling and through the use of low flow plumbing fixtures; and 
the carpet uses backing made from recycled soda bottles. This kind of 
top-to-bottom environmental sensitivity is where our Nation and our 
planet's future lies.
  I would also like to acknowledge APEC's leadership in environmental 
education and awareness. Every year, over 35,000 school students from 
all over New York City and Long Island visit Alley Pond Park. At APEC-
run programs, students of pre-school, elementary school, middle and 
high school ages learn about the environment and conservation policy. 
APEC also runs wonderful teacher workshops to educate teachers in 
methods to enrich and improve their natural sciences curriculum when 
they return to the classroom. APEC restored and reclaimed Alley Pond 
Park in the 1970s as a refuge where New Yorkers could experience 
nature, wetlands and woodlands first hand. APEC features live animal 
exhibits and several miles of trails in both wetland and woodland 
areas, bird walks, nature hikes, craft sessions and workshops on 
environmental topics. Through the ``Green Living Award'', APEC 
continues its environmental mission by recognizing the ``green'' 
achievements of individuals throughout the New York area.
  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to recognize Tom Santiago for his 
exemplary work in green building construction and for receiving the 
``Green Living Award'' from the Alley Pond Environmental Center. I know 
my colleagues in the House of Representatives will join me in 
congratulating Thomas Santiago and his colleagues at Citigroup for this 
well-deserved honor.

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