I want to first thank Martin Santini, AIA Board Member from my great state for nominating me for this award and putting together all the subsequent information to make this happen.  Also, thanks to all the members of AIA New Jersey who have been so supportive.

I think you would agree with me when I say the new year got off to a great start when, on January 11th, the President signed into law the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001 - a bill we have all been waiting for for over five years.

Better than anyone, the AIA understands the enormous significance of redeveloping former industrials sites - brownfields - to mixed uses including parks, shopping areas, learning centers, and affordable housing. Brownfields sites appear in every state and nearly every community, and by cleaning them up and revitalizing them, we provide an opportunity for more jobs, while - at the same time - cleaning up the environment, protecting public health and curbing suburban sprawl. 

Now that the President has signed the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001 into law, I see a tremendous opportunity for architects to redesign and enhance America's communities. That was a large part of the reason I introduced the bill in the House and worked so hard to see its passage.

This legislation, I believe, will spur the cleanup of troublesome sites by providing financial resources, more than double the money approved in the past several years, and liability relief in a manner that both public and private sectors have wholeheartedly embraced. In essence, the legislation provides communities with some of the key tools to tackle the reclamation of these unproductive lands; but it can't be done without the masterminds behind the reclamation - - the architects.

But setting brownfields aside, I believe there are a few other issues which Congress must address to help ensure our future economic stability and that of the architecture profession.

As my friends from New Jersey can attest, school construction and modernization legislation is not only a necessity for bettering the classrooms for our children, but it can also be an engine that could fuel our local economies. 

In 2000, New Jersey passed an $8.5 billion bill that provides for construction and modernization of our decrepit, crumbling schools.  This bill will put to work hundreds of architects and construction workers, giving a needed boost to our state's economy.  Congress needs to follow New Jersey's lead and pass Reps. Rangel and Johnson's bipartisan "America's Better Classroom's Act".  This bipartisan legislation will provide the needed resources to repair many of our nation's oldest schools.

Lastly, Congress needs to take steps to ensure that our nation becomes less reliant on foreign oil and gas.  As a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, I hope to work with my colleagues in solving our energy needs by incorporating new energy technology and efficiency in the design of vehicles, buildings and appliances. 

Since a majority of our energy needs are consumed at the workplace and in the home, our nation's architects can help by incorporating new energy efficient technologies in the design of commercial and residential properties.  However Congress also needs to take the initiative by establishing programs that help to increase energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.  That is why I support The Energy Efficient Building Incentives Act, which offers tax credits for houses and commercial buildings which have made energy efficiency improvements. This legislation would take significant steps toward lessening reliability on foreign energy sources.

Again, thank you so much for this prestigious award.  I look forward to continue to work with you in the future.