Eva M. Clayton: “I rise to urge the support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado Mr. Udall) and myself and others, and…”

“I rise to urge the support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado Mr. Udall) and myself and others, and also rise in support of the base bill. This amendment, I think, enhances the base bill. The Urban and Community Forest Program has been in existence since 1978. This program has been widely used throughout the United States, assisting 80 percent of all Americans. Assistance is provided by the program for both urban and rural areas, as well as suburban communities and small towns that fall in between. As our rural areas and small towns, communities, cities have developed, the Urban and Community Forest Program has become an integral part of building and sustaining them. Important connections existing between the liveability of communities and the service functions provided by trees, forests and related green space. These connections includes improved air and water quality, control of storm runoffs, sufficient soil aeration and energy conservation.”