[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 10007-10008] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE LATE GEORGE ARNOLD ______ HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO of illinois in the house of representatives Friday, May 28, 2010 Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of the late George Arnold, a founding faculty member of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, an avid nature lover, and a steadfast supporter of environmental initiatives. George passed away on May 14, 2010 at the age of 93. George's great love for the environment began in Carbondale, Illinois, on an old family farm where his mother Elizabeth and his father William grew apples and peaches. From those early days, friends and family of George knew him as an environmental trailblazer, a man well ahead of his time, and an early leader in the green movement of the 1970s. George received his Doctorate in Environmental Science from Washington University in St. Louis in 1964, proudly boasting the university's first doctorate in air pollution. He also received a Master's Degree in physics and a Bachelor's Degree in education, physics, and mathematics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Though George completed his education at Southern Illinois and Washington University in St. Louis, he never left academia. He taught classes at Kemper Military School, and moved on to teach physics, navigation, and meteorology at Glenview Naval Air Station following his enlistment in the U.S. Naval Reserve. George then became a founding member of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he returned as a staple of the college faculty and an influential member of the technology and engineering department. Most notably, Arnold was vital in creating a new environmental studies program for the university in the 1960s. George was also essential to the green movement outside of education. He laid the foundation for a rich Madison County trails system, advocating for bike trails around the area. His hard work and dedication led some to call him ``the grandfather of Illinois bikeways.'' In addition, he spent time lobbying for additional mass transit, determined to create livable and accessible communities. George Arnold was active in numerous organizations and groups. He was the President of the Lewis and Clark Society, archivist for [[Page 10008]] Marquette-Joliet Tercentennial, co-chair of the Illinois-Missouri Trails Coalition, secretary of the Grassroots Trailnet Committee, chairman of the Piasa Palisades Sierra Group, and president of the Vadalabene Nature Trail Volunteers. As a celebrated environmental activist and educator, George received several awards and honors. He received the Edwardsville Meritorious Service Award and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime commitment to the environment. His efforts in securing outstanding bike trails around the region led Madison County Transit to honor him once more. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me to express appreciation and gratitude to Mr. George Arnold for his countless contributions to Madison County and to all of Southwestern Illinois. ____________________