Press Releases
Rogers Welcomes Kentucky Tourism Council to Southern Kentucky and Kicks off PRIDE’s New Speaker’s Bureau
Aug 04 2010
Today, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) welcomed more than 130 members of the Kentucky Tourism Council to Southern Kentucky at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park during its annual meeting. Congressman Rogers encouraged members to work together to entice incoming tourists at the World Equestrian Games to visit other parts of the state in September and October.
“Tourism is our third largest industry and we want those travelers from around the world to experience our beautiful natural attractions, like Cumberland Falls,” said Rogers. “TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky (TOUR SEKY) has been busy training more than 10,000 frontline customer service employees on how to direct travelers to nearby attractions in each county. The southern hospitality we offer at department stores, gas stations and restaurants will pay off during the World Equestrian Games and beyond.”
Rogers also helped PRIDE kick off its new Speaker’s Bureau during the first training session at the Cumberland Valley Area Development District office in London, Kentucky.
“We live in such a fast-paced world that we sometimes lose the personal connection we need to get out the message on important issues like cleaning up our region and taking care of our environment,” said Rogers. “Our trained speakers will become the voice of PRIDE’s education component, reaching into schools and communities that otherwise may not comprehend the full impact of taking personal responsibility to cleanup our region.”
Rogers commended the Laurel County Fiscal Court and Judge Executive Lawrence Kuhl for contributing $6,500 to the Environmental Education Liaison program for the 2010-2011 school year. 4,400 students in Laurel County benefited from the program last year alone. He also presented Judge Kuhl and PRIDE Coordinator Jim Ed McDaniel with the second place trophy for recruiting the most volunteers from a county for the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup. 2,104 volunteers from Laurel County participated in the environmental cleanup in April.
Rogers also announced a $22,000 Environmental Education Contract that PRIDE awarded to Laurel County Schools. The funding will be divided between five schools to use for environmental education. The following schools will receive $4,000 each: London Elementary, North Laurel Middle School, South Laurel High School and Sublimity Elementary. The Laurel County Fiscal Court will receive $4,000 and Bush Elementary will receive $2,000.
Laurel County Public Works Director, Steve Edge received an Environmental Leadership Award for his continued efforts to improve recycling habits in Laurel County and for forging the dream to bring curbside recycling to the entire City of London. The county saves up to $25,000 each month due to the residents’ fluent recycling. Curbside recycling should be available in London early next year.
Congressman Rogers presented all of the PRIDE Coordinators at the Speaker’s Bureau Training with a special “Hal Rogers Difference Maker” Award today. Thanks to their efforts, an unprecedented 31,200 volunteers helped cleanup Southern and Eastern Kentucky during the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup and more than 618,000 students now have access to hands-on environmental education tools.
“Hal Rogers Difference Makers” Awards were presented to the following PRIDE Coordinators: Tim Bell, Wayne County; H.M. Bottom, Russell County; Sarah Brown, City of Jenkins; Lucy Burroughs, Owsley County; Rosa Couch, Perry County; Brent Graden, Floyd County; April Haight, Rowan County; Bruce Hatton, Wolfe County; Jim Ed McDaniel, Laurel County; Steve Edge, City of London; Amy Mink, City of Burnside; Angie Muncy, Leslie County; Heather Alder Stewart, Whitley County Schools; Wendy Thompson, City of Barbourville; Sharon Watterson, Lee County; James Renner, Rockcastle County; Jill Medley, Mt. Vernon; A.L. Sinclair, Adair County and PRIDE Board Member; Lisa Lee, Adair County; Debra McNear, Taylor County.
Rogers also presented an American flag in memory of PRIDE’s first-ever coordinator Mike Pollard, to his widow Elaine. Pollard served as the Leslie County PRIDE Coordinator and helped establish the mission of coordinators across the region.
“We miss Mike’s enthusiasm and dedication at PRIDE,” said Rogers. “If everyone shared the same commitment Mike had to keep our region clean, we would have a greater impact on our environment year-round.”
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.
“Tourism is our third largest industry and we want those travelers from around the world to experience our beautiful natural attractions, like Cumberland Falls,” said Rogers. “TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky (TOUR SEKY) has been busy training more than 10,000 frontline customer service employees on how to direct travelers to nearby attractions in each county. The southern hospitality we offer at department stores, gas stations and restaurants will pay off during the World Equestrian Games and beyond.”
Rogers also helped PRIDE kick off its new Speaker’s Bureau during the first training session at the Cumberland Valley Area Development District office in London, Kentucky.
“We live in such a fast-paced world that we sometimes lose the personal connection we need to get out the message on important issues like cleaning up our region and taking care of our environment,” said Rogers. “Our trained speakers will become the voice of PRIDE’s education component, reaching into schools and communities that otherwise may not comprehend the full impact of taking personal responsibility to cleanup our region.”
Rogers commended the Laurel County Fiscal Court and Judge Executive Lawrence Kuhl for contributing $6,500 to the Environmental Education Liaison program for the 2010-2011 school year. 4,400 students in Laurel County benefited from the program last year alone. He also presented Judge Kuhl and PRIDE Coordinator Jim Ed McDaniel with the second place trophy for recruiting the most volunteers from a county for the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup. 2,104 volunteers from Laurel County participated in the environmental cleanup in April.
Rogers also announced a $22,000 Environmental Education Contract that PRIDE awarded to Laurel County Schools. The funding will be divided between five schools to use for environmental education. The following schools will receive $4,000 each: London Elementary, North Laurel Middle School, South Laurel High School and Sublimity Elementary. The Laurel County Fiscal Court will receive $4,000 and Bush Elementary will receive $2,000.
Laurel County Public Works Director, Steve Edge received an Environmental Leadership Award for his continued efforts to improve recycling habits in Laurel County and for forging the dream to bring curbside recycling to the entire City of London. The county saves up to $25,000 each month due to the residents’ fluent recycling. Curbside recycling should be available in London early next year.
Congressman Rogers presented all of the PRIDE Coordinators at the Speaker’s Bureau Training with a special “Hal Rogers Difference Maker” Award today. Thanks to their efforts, an unprecedented 31,200 volunteers helped cleanup Southern and Eastern Kentucky during the 2010 PRIDE Spring Cleanup and more than 618,000 students now have access to hands-on environmental education tools.
“Hal Rogers Difference Makers” Awards were presented to the following PRIDE Coordinators: Tim Bell, Wayne County; H.M. Bottom, Russell County; Sarah Brown, City of Jenkins; Lucy Burroughs, Owsley County; Rosa Couch, Perry County; Brent Graden, Floyd County; April Haight, Rowan County; Bruce Hatton, Wolfe County; Jim Ed McDaniel, Laurel County; Steve Edge, City of London; Amy Mink, City of Burnside; Angie Muncy, Leslie County; Heather Alder Stewart, Whitley County Schools; Wendy Thompson, City of Barbourville; Sharon Watterson, Lee County; James Renner, Rockcastle County; Jill Medley, Mt. Vernon; A.L. Sinclair, Adair County and PRIDE Board Member; Lisa Lee, Adair County; Debra McNear, Taylor County.
Rogers also presented an American flag in memory of PRIDE’s first-ever coordinator Mike Pollard, to his widow Elaine. Pollard served as the Leslie County PRIDE Coordinator and helped establish the mission of coordinators across the region.
“We miss Mike’s enthusiasm and dedication at PRIDE,” said Rogers. “If everyone shared the same commitment Mike had to keep our region clean, we would have a greater impact on our environment year-round.”
Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.