Volume 166, No. 175 covering the 2nd Session of the 116th Congress (2019 - 2020) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN RECOGNITION OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS PARKS DIRECTOR PATRICK SULLIVAN” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E936 on Oct. 9, 2020.
More than half of the Agency's employees are engineers, scientists and protection specialists. The Climate Reality Project, a global climate activist organization, accused Agency leadership in the last five years of undermining its main mission.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS PARKS DIRECTOR PATRICK
SULLIVAN
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HON. RICHARD E. NEAL
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 9, 2020
Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Patrick Sullivan, Parks Director for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, for being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Environmental Merit Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. I would like to include in the Record two articles from the Springfield Republican that highlights his achievements. Pat's outstanding career deserves the highest praise for his continued efforts to implement environmentally cognizant initiatives that benefit both our environment and thousands of local residents. Springfield Parks Director Patrick Sullivan Receives Lifetime
Achievement Award From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(By Peter Goonan)
City Parks and Buildings Director Patrick J. Sullivan did his best to share the credit with others as he was honored last week with a lifetime achievement environmental merit award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
I was just very honored and humbled when I got the call from the EPA that the mayor had nominated me for this award and they had chosen me, Sullivan said, during an interview with The Republican at his office at Forest Park. I always had an interest in the field of horticulture and the environment and as I progressed, I tried to make decisions that are basically going to be in the best interest of our environment and for our residents.
Sullivan said credit needs to go to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno for supporting Going Green initiatives, and to municipal employees for the focus on environmental protection and energy efficiency related to city parks, open space and buildings.
Beyond protecting parks, the city continues a major, multi-year effort to improve energy efficiency in city and school buildings, having resulted in a 30 percent decrease in energy use in city buildings since 2007, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he is perhaps most proud of the organic lawn care program in the city, in which the city has reduced the use of synthetic fertilizers in city fields and parks, by replacing them with organic products. The synthetic fertilizers have chemicals that leach into the groundwater and ultimately enter the rivers and streams, he said.
Sullivan continues to work on developing plans for a public education program on the impacts of synthetic fertilizers, officials said.
The EPA summary said that Sarno, in nominating Sullivan described Patrick's steadfast work to build an environmentally friendly community.
Sullivan, a Springfield native and resident, has worked for 33 years for the city including as director of parks, buildings and recreation management.
During his career, Sullivan has spearheaded more than $80 million in park construction projects, has helped improve ponds and lakes, and has overseen more than $500 million in school renovation projects including roofs, windows, boilers and environmental management systems, the summary said.
Sarno, in a prepared release, congratulated Sullivan on a well-earned and deserved lifetime achievement award. He called Sullivan his point person on Going Green initiatives in Springfield.
``Pat has always been my 'Green Person,' '' Sarno said. His visionary and practical leadership has not only been good for our environment, but also the bottom line of our budget too.
Sullivan said that working within Forest Park is a dream job in itself. He recalled that when he began with the department, the current rose garden area was just a
``sunken'' ground that would fill with water. It was restored to its current beauty, he said.
Some of the buildings were deteriorated and in jeopardy years ago including the Barney Carriage House and old Forest Park Zoo building. The carriage house was fully renovated and the old zoo building is planned as a horticultural learning center.
Sullivan was one of nine people in New England, including three people in Massachusetts who received the EPA's 2020 Environmental Merit Award--Lifetime Achievement award for his dedication and support of the environment.
Others receiving the Lifetime Achievement award in Massachusetts were Margaret VanDeusen of Boston, and the late Barbara Cianfarini of Pittsfield.
The recipients were honored by teleconference, due to the coronavirus, with Sullivan and Sarno taking part. Those in on remote video call included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Recognition of Springfield Parks
Director Patrick J. Sullivan on the Mark
(By The Republican Editorials)
More cites and town throughout the U.S. are taking a proactive, measured and coordinated stance toward protecting the environment. As a result, Going Green initiatives have been cropping up to study how power is generated and analyzing energy management systems within municipal buildings and schools. The goal, of course, is to make upgrades and create improvements.
Larger cities, including Chicago, have notable goals. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has embarked on a sustainable energy program within the city to power all city-owned buildings with renewable energy by 2035. Springfield has also been aggressive in partnering with private companies and non-profit agencies to develop measures to cut down on energy usage. With its Climate Action and Resilience Plan, the city has conducted building-by-building surveys to identify areas where improvements to power generation, air quality and lighting that will not only cut down on carbon emissions but save the city millions of dollars.
As a point person in Springfield's Going Green initiatives, City Parks and Building Director Patrick J. Sullivan is instrumental in working with a variety of groups to lead studies and identify and create carbon emission reduction goals. It is notable and commendable that Sullivan was recently honored by the Environmental Protection Agency with a lifetime achievement merit award for his multi-year effort to improve energy efficiency. Sullivan, who has worked for the city for the past 33 years, was one of nine people in New England and three in Massachusetts who received the EPA's 2020 award. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said of Sullivan, his visionary and practical leadership has not only been good for our environment, but also the bottom line of our budget, too.
As a result of a multi-year effort to improve energy efficiency, the city as experienced a 30% decrease in city buildings since 2007.
According to Sullivan, one his proudest achievements is the organic lawn care program in which the city has reduced the use of synthetic fertilizers in city fields, replacing them with organic products, thus protecting rivers and streams from toxic runoff.
Coordination at the local government level to form partnerships with the business community and other agencies to identify and study energy use and develop conservation measures is vital to help reduce carbon emissions. Large and small cites all have role to play. Having an experienced, dedicated person leading these efforts, such as Sullivan, can only get us closer to building an environmentally friendly community.
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