December 3, 2001

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro was honored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources last week, during the second annual Leaders' Forum sponsored by the College on Nov. 28.

She received the first Augustus and Charles Storrs Award for her work on behalf of the College, the Cooperative Extension System, and the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, and for her support in many areas related to the College's programs.

This award recognizes and honors those who, through their leadership, generosity, and belief in the future of Connecticut, support the College in its service to the state, region, and nation.

DeLauro is the only member of Connecticut's Congressional delegation on the House Appropriations Committee serving on the Labor-HHS-Educatio n and Agriculture Subcommittees.

As a member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, DeLauro helps direct policy development and implementation of programs in extension, education and research through USDA-CSREES partnerships with the land-grant universities in all states and territories.

In the areas of agriculture and the environment, DeLauro advocates protecting natural resources and preserving open space, farmland and historic sites, for both environmental and economic reasons.

She also supports increased funding for ocean and coastal protection. DeLauro sponsored legislation that extends and increases the authorization for federal low-interest loans to municipalities to improve their wastewater treatment infrastructure. In addition, she urges the protection of watersheds by reducing non-point source pollution.

DeLauro played a key role in obtaining funding for the College's new Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, dedicated in the spring and has supported numerous research programs at the College.

Sara Putnam