Hoyer Honored as "Living Legend" for Work to Restore Anacostia River
November 15, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) received the "Living Legend Award" today from the Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region (LC-NCR) for his work on behalf of the Anacostia River. The award was presented at a ceremony for the honorees following the Anacostia River Fall Cleanup at Kingman Island. The purpose of the event was to educate youth about the enormous impact that debris has on the health of the Anacostia where more than 20,000 tons of trash is dumped annually.
"I am so very honored to receive Living Classroom's Living Legend Award for my support of efforts to restore the Anacostia River," stated Rep. Hoyer. "Those of us who have spent some time on the Anacostia River know what an asset it is for our region. It is an oasis in the middle of our nation's capital, and it must be preserved."
"By restoring the Anacostia, we not only bolster the health of our environment and the Chesapeake Bay, we also rejuvenate communities and improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the Anacostia Watershed," continued Hoyer.
Rep. Hoyer has been a longtime advocate for a healthier Anacostia River and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay. Since coming to Congress in 1981, he has worked closely with citizen's groups, state and local governments, and federal agencies on restoration efforts and has helped secure more than $30 million for environmental restoration, debris removal, flood protection, habitat improvement, infrastructure construction and wetland restoration projects throughout the Anacostia Watershed. In September, he led a delegation of 40 federal, state and local leaders on a boat tour of the river to facilitate discussions about how best to coordinate efforts and resources to restore the health of the Anacostia.
"Efforts to restore this once thriving river have truly been the result of a strong partnership at all levels – especially on the part of nonprofit groups such as Living Classrooms and citizens who have given so much of themselves for this critical mission," stated Rep. Hoyer. "Through its philosophy of ‘Learning by Doing,' Living Classrooms is playing an extraordinarily important role in engaging young people in the restoration of the Anacostia River and preparing them for what I am sure will be a lifetime of stewardship."
"Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has shown great leadership in working towards solutions to restore and protect the Anacostia River and improve the quality of life for all those who live and work in the watershed," said John Dillow, Executive Director, Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region. "The Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region's inaugural Living Legend Award acknowledges Congressman Hoyer's commitment and contributions to restoring and protecting the Nation's Capital River."
In addition to Rep. Hoyer, the "Living Legend Award" was presented to Pepco Holdings, Inc. and Gilda Allen, Environmental Program Specialist with DC Department of the Environment for their work on behalf of the Anacostia River. The honored speaker at the event was National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' Deputy Secretary of Oceans and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), Tim Keeney.
For more information on Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region and their efforts to engage the area's youth in the restoration of the Anacostia River, please visit www.livingclassrooms.org or contact Mari Lou Livingood, (202) 441-8493.
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"I am so very honored to receive Living Classroom's Living Legend Award for my support of efforts to restore the Anacostia River," stated Rep. Hoyer. "Those of us who have spent some time on the Anacostia River know what an asset it is for our region. It is an oasis in the middle of our nation's capital, and it must be preserved."
"By restoring the Anacostia, we not only bolster the health of our environment and the Chesapeake Bay, we also rejuvenate communities and improve the quality of life for all who live and work in the Anacostia Watershed," continued Hoyer.
Rep. Hoyer has been a longtime advocate for a healthier Anacostia River and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay. Since coming to Congress in 1981, he has worked closely with citizen's groups, state and local governments, and federal agencies on restoration efforts and has helped secure more than $30 million for environmental restoration, debris removal, flood protection, habitat improvement, infrastructure construction and wetland restoration projects throughout the Anacostia Watershed. In September, he led a delegation of 40 federal, state and local leaders on a boat tour of the river to facilitate discussions about how best to coordinate efforts and resources to restore the health of the Anacostia.
"Efforts to restore this once thriving river have truly been the result of a strong partnership at all levels – especially on the part of nonprofit groups such as Living Classrooms and citizens who have given so much of themselves for this critical mission," stated Rep. Hoyer. "Through its philosophy of ‘Learning by Doing,' Living Classrooms is playing an extraordinarily important role in engaging young people in the restoration of the Anacostia River and preparing them for what I am sure will be a lifetime of stewardship."
"Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has shown great leadership in working towards solutions to restore and protect the Anacostia River and improve the quality of life for all those who live and work in the watershed," said John Dillow, Executive Director, Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region. "The Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region's inaugural Living Legend Award acknowledges Congressman Hoyer's commitment and contributions to restoring and protecting the Nation's Capital River."
In addition to Rep. Hoyer, the "Living Legend Award" was presented to Pepco Holdings, Inc. and Gilda Allen, Environmental Program Specialist with DC Department of the Environment for their work on behalf of the Anacostia River. The honored speaker at the event was National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' Deputy Secretary of Oceans and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), Tim Keeney.
For more information on Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region and their efforts to engage the area's youth in the restoration of the Anacostia River, please visit www.livingclassrooms.org or contact Mari Lou Livingood, (202) 441-8493.
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Issues:
Environment