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“RECOGNIZING THE ``TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE BRONX'' 2004 CONFERENCE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E409 on March 10, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE ``TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE BRONX'' 2004 CONFERENCE
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HON. JOSE E. SERRANO
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the efforts of a number of Bronx-based organizations to organize a major energy and environmental symposium in the Bronx. This event, sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College and the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment at The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, will broaden the audience for, and awareness of, renewable and alternative energy technologies.
For many years, the South Bronx has suffered from high levels of pollution, which have led to public health problems in the area. For instance, asthma rates among children are 250 percent higher than in the rest of New York City. The South Bronx can benefit greatly from the use of energy-efficient and clean fuel technologies. Many businesses, developers, and other stakeholders, however, are unaware of both what they can do and where they can go to find these tools. This symposium will answer those questions, and help make the South Bronx a healthier and more environmentally sound place to live.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of this conference cannot be understated. This conference is an opportunity to promote technologies that can improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, prepare our students for the workforce through education and training, and promote practices that will help to strengthen our economy. I am confident that this conference will lead to greater community participation in efforts to improve the quality of life in the Bronx.
I would like to thank the President of Bronx Community College, Dr. Carolyn Grubbs Williams for her leadership on these issues. I also congratulate the Center for Sustainable Energy, the Bronx Initiative for Energy and the Environment, and the Bronx River Research Group for their efforts in making this conference a reality. Lastly, I would like to thank the many other partnership organizations involved in the project, including: Rebuild America program at the U.S. Department of Energy, New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, New York City Energy $mart Communities, and several Bronx-based businesses.
I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating all the parties involved for their dedication to these important environmental and public health issues, and in wishing them continued success in the years to come.
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