From the desk of Congressman Gary Ackerman: April 24, 2012

Written by Congressman Gary Ackerman Friday, 27 April 2012 00:00

EPA Honors Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens /L.I.) recently announced that Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington has been selected to receive a prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The organization was chosen after Ackerman nominated the group last month.

The organization, a local environmental group dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment of Port Washington and its surrounding areas, will receive the EPA Environmental Quality Award, an honor presented to those who have contributed significantly to improving the environment.

The EPA presents the award each year to individuals and organizations that have helped improve environmental quality, demonstrated a high achievement level, created unique or location-specific benefits, produced results that are sustainable or reproducible, or increased public involvement in environmental action. In conjunction with Earth Day, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington will be recognized at a special awards ceremony – where it will formally receive the award – at the EPA’s offices in lower Manhattan on Friday, April 27.

Founded in 1968, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington has dedicated itself to improving the environment in the Port Washington area. With nearly 1,000 members, the group focuses on several programs and initiatives including environmental education, policy and planning, environmental health, and quality of life.

In 2011, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington continued to pursue its decades-long mission with many successful events and accomplishments such as hands-on environmental education activities for elementary school students, volunteer community clean-ups and beautification days, working with officials on all levels of government to advocate for sustainable and efficient community improvement projects, and hosting its annual gala to raise money for local beautification and sustainability efforts.

“Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington is a shining example of what ordinary citizens can accomplish by uniting under a mission to make their communities better,” said Ackerman. “Throughout my years as a member of Congress representing the North Hempstead area, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the difference this outstanding organization has made in the lives of our neighbors and the health of our community. I was proud to nominate them for this prestigious award and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”

“Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington wishes to extend a heartfelt expression of appreciation to Congressman Gary Ackerman and the EPA for bestowing the 2012 Environmental Quality Award upon our organization. This is a wonderful public recognition of the value of the various programs and projects that Residents has been spearheading for many years on the Port Washington Peninsula, seeking to maintain and enhance the quality of life in our communities,” said Curt Trinko, chairman, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington.