[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14169-14170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING TREE TRUST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Tree Trust, to 
recognize and commemorate the 40th anniversary of an organization 
devoted to ending joblessness and expanding the urban tree canopy.
  Founded in 1976, Tree Trust was inspired by a simple idea: Improve 
the environment while investing in people. Tree Trust does exactly that 
through reforestation drives, employment training, and environmental 
education programs. They have fought for countless reforms to public 
programs that now provide meaningful opportunities to serve the 
community and connect with the outdoors.
  For 40 years, Tree Trust has transformed lives and landscapes. They 
have planted and

[[Page 14170]]

distributed nearly 90,000 trees and shrubs while investing in over 
55,000 youth and adults since their inception. I know the quality of 
Tree Trust's work first hand. Since being elected to Congress, I have 
joined them for many tree plantings and community service days. Many 
summers, I have had the honor to present the Governor's awards at their 
Youth Employment Program Awards Picnic to outstanding young people who 
are improving our community.
  My driving force in Congress is making a more generous, inclusive, 
and sustainable society. I want young people to believe that they have 
the power to make a meaningful change. I want adults struggling with 
unemployment to know that they are valuable, important members of 
community. We as a society will shape our vision of tomorrow through 
action and service. Tree Trust is an organization that is leading the 
way, and I am proud to represent them in Congress.
  Once again, congratulations to Tree Trust for 40 years of service. I 
am looking forward to seeing what they accomplish in the next 40 years.

                          ____________________