Buffalo, NY – At a ceremony at City Honors School today, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton joined with Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown and representatives from the University at Buffalo, Re-Tree WNY, American Forests, International Paper/XpedX, Davey Tree and others to hold a planting ceremony for two historic trees - one from the estate of Eleanor Roosevelt and the other will be a tree from the estate of Franklin Delano Roosevelt - that were donated as part of a commitment to replacing the trees that were lost in last year’s early snowstorm.

Prior to the ceremony, Senator Clinton addressed students from City Honors School and other area schools about the need for a new approach to energy efficiency and renewable energy, not only to address global warming and the environment but to support Western New York’s future. The Senate is currently considering the Energy Bill and already this week approved a green job training proposal that Senator Clinton introduced with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the Energy Bill. Read More >

Senator Clinton has also introduced a bill to create a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund paid for in part by closing the corporate tax loopholes for oil companies already reaping the largest profits in history. The fund would invest in tax incentives and research to promote conservation, efficiency, and technologies available right now – while also investing in cutting edge research so America can lead the world in new, 21st century green industries. Read More >

“The Energy Bill that is currently before the Senate presents a unique opportunity move away from the failed approach of subsidizing oil companies while downplaying efficiency and conservation, and to take a different road,” Senator Clinton said. “We need a smarter energy policy that emphasizes greater energy efficiency in our buildings and vehicles; renewable fuels that fuels to reduce our dependence on foreign oil; and a national goal to produce more of our electricity from renewable sources.”

Today, the Senator announced the donation of 2300 saplings which will be delivered to each 4th grade student in the Buffalo Public Schools over the next year. The saplings were organized through Senator Clinton’s office with the assistance of the Department of Environmental Conservation through the Saratoga Tree Nursery School Seedling Program. The Senator also announced that American Forests will provide “tree-planting educational materials” for children who will be receiving the saplings to plant at home. At the ceremony, the Senator also distributed 300 seed packets from Eleanor Roosevelt’s White Ash in Hyde Park, NY, to all of the children in attendance.

Earlier this year, Senator Clinton’s office, Re-Tree WNY and the University at Buffalo teamed up to begin planting the first of 120 historic trees that Senator Clinton and UB organized for schools throughout Buffalo. The 120 historic trees were donated by American Forests, who worked with Citadel Broadcasting, International Paper/XpedX, and Davey Tree to secure the funds for the trees. Read More  >

“Every Western New Yorker here will most certainly remember the snowstorm that dumped between 18 and 24 inches of snow this past October. In addition to the terrible damage it wrought on homes and infrastructure, the storm also devastated the beautiful tree canopy for which Buffalo is known,” Senator Clinton said. “I promised then that I would continue to do everything I could to help Buffalo and the impacted communities recover and rebuild as soon as possible. That is why I went to work and put together a team of government, not-for-profit, private, and educational partners to begin bringing trees back to Buffalo. I am so pleased that we have now secured over 2,400 trees for Buffalo. It is my hope that many of the students and future leaders we have in the crowd today will make their own, unique commitments to important causes, like the environment.”

“I am thrilled that Senator Clinton was able to secure these historic trees to enhance our efforts to re-tree Buffalo after the October Surprise storm,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. “The City of Buffalo thanks Senator Clinton for the trees and supports her efforts towards a more energy efficient economy.”

“Our project here in Western New York is unique --- I understand that the power companies said it was the most damage from a snowstorm they ever encountered. The aftermath was a huge setback to our area, which is world-renowned for its urban forest. The Senator's help has been critical to our early success and we need all of our WNY human resources to join in this effort to re-tree our area over the next five years,” said Paul Maurer, Co-Chairman, Re-Tree WNY.

“The University at Buffalo is proud to have had the opportunity to partner with Senator Clinton, area schools and Re-Tree Western New York to replace trees lost during last October’s devastating snowstorm,” said James A. Willis, UB interim executive vice president for finance and operations. “UB’s involvement in this initiative reflects the broader commitment to environmental leadership that has long been a critical aspect of UB’s mission as a public research university.”

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