The Power of grassroots advocacy.When the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program for Fiscal Year 2004 was threatened by action of a House Appropriations subcommittee sub·com·mit·tee n. A subordinate committee composed of members appointed from a main committee. subcommittee Noun this summer, parks and recreation advocates stepped up like never before to educate their senators and representatives on the value of TE projects in their communities. When all was said and done, a remarkable victory was won on the House floor on Sept. 4. By a resounding re·sound v. re·sound·ed, re·sound·ing, re·sounds v.intr. 1. To be filled with sound; reverberate: The schoolyard resounded with the laughter of children. 2. vote of 327-90, an amendment that restored the guaranteed set-aside for TE project funding Project Funding reflects the overall financial analysis and entails the analysis that is needed in order to get the financial means approved and funds made available to be able to perform the discipline of project management. was approved. A key to this surprising legislative victory was the grassroots, prairie-fire response that park and recreation supporters mounted against the House Appropriations Committee's calculated attempt to starve starve v. 1. To suffer or die from extreme or prolonged lack of food. 2. To deprive of food so as to cause suffering or death. the TE program of funds. Hiking hiking Walking, often among hills or mountains, as recreational sport. It represents an activity in its own right and also figures in backpacking, camping, hunting, mountaineering, and orienteering. , bicycling bicycling Sports medicine Main injuries Pain, numbness and injuries, primarily of the knee, but also wrists, buttocks, pelvis, carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve, skin breakdown of the buttocks due to overtraining, pelvic nerve compression, transient sexual dysfunction and rails/ trails groups, community health organizations, and many others in a truly diverse coalition expressed their collective, support for the benefits of the TE program. It is clear in retrospect that nearly every House of Representatives member heard from citizens and advocates in his or her district about how valuable and important the projects were to their district. The community level support for the Transportation Enhancements program from park and recreation supporters was a key component to reversing the vote, and Capitol Capitol, seat of the U.S. Congress Capitol, seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. Hill took notice. NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association has received thanks and commendation COMMENDATION. The act of recommending, praising. A merchant who merely commends goods he offers for sale, does not by that act warrant them, unless there is some fraud: simplex commendatio non obligat. from many quarters. Here is a sampling: "This was a critical victory in Congress, and it happened because an incredible array of organizations recognize the importance of TE and came together to save it. NRPA was an important part of the effort, and parks and recreation advocates across the country helped make the difference."--Ken Rosenfeld, Advocacy Manager, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy "When Congress passed legislation 12 years ago dedicating a modest part of the federal transportation budget to projects other than roads, the dramatic effect it would have on communities such as Indianapolis couldn't have been foreseen. The trails encourage exercise and physical fitness in a time when obesity is epidemic, and they offer safe, inexpensive transportation routes for those who choose to escape the congestion and pollution of local roads. But the system of trails is far from complete. We'll laced every penny of federal money--and much more--to keep such dreams alive."--From an editorial in the Indianapolis Business Journal, Vol. 24, No. 30 "The parks, recreation and trails community truly came together on this issue and successfully mobilized to convince Congress to guarantee full funding for enhancements, the major source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling projects. The strong showing of public support affirmed the need flit dedicated TE funding to enhance the quality of life and show benefits for supporters of parks, recreation, trails and healthier communities nationwide."--Celina Montorfano, American Hiking Seemly |
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