Grace Napolitano: “I have come today to the floor to urge my colleagues to support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado…”

“I have come today to the floor to urge my colleagues to support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), which simply restores the Urban and Community Forestry Program. This is, indeed, a bipartisan bill and I am very thankful to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for their hard work on it. In fact, this program restores the green infrastructure that is disappearing so dramatically in our cities and in our towns throughout America. And we are really substituting cement and asphalt for trees and greenery. The Urban and Community Forestry Program would also make it possible for youth at risk to learn how to clean up their communities and educate their parents and neighbors about conservation practices like waste removal, recycling, planting, et cetera. We must continue to teach our youth and involve them so that we can continue growing these green trees for effectively preserving the natural environment. Studies have shown that preventing the spread of deforestation in our cities decreases energy and storm water runoff costs, increases air quality and improves the liveability of our communities and our neighborhoods.”