For Release: June 14, 2005
Contact: Evelyn Adams
Public Information Specialist
Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources
301-883-5958

Dedication Of The Prince George’s County Peace Tree

LARGO, MD – On Saturday, June 11, residents joined county, state and local officials at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Bladensburg for the dedication of the Prince George’s County Peace Tree.

The Peace Tree, a magnolia, was planted to serve as a reminder to county citizens and residents to work together for the restoration of peace, goodwill and respect for life.

The Peace Tree Project, however, is about more than just planting trees. “This is about all of us reminding ourselves that the majority of Prince George’s County citizens are law abiding, caring, just basically good people, and that we can as residents, come together in a spirit of peace, harmony and tranquility to beautify our communities and the county,” stated Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Alfonso Cornish. “It is a call for peace and love for one’s neighbors, family and self. That’s what makes and keeps Prince George’s County livable.”

Prince George’s County Assistant Chief of Police William Tucker reiterated Mr. Cornish’s remarks adding, “t he dedication of this peace tree symbolizes our commitment to living peacefully with one another, neighbor helping neighbor, so that all can live, work, worship, and raise our families in communities that are safe."

Robert McGrory, Mayor of the Town of Bladensburg, said that it was “fitting to plant the Peace Tree in Bladensburg because of its history of fighting for peace.”

During the program, Wesley Toepper, who delivered a “Summons for Peace in Prince George’s County, ” spoke of the significance and importance of the Southern Magnolia being dedicated as “a Symbol of Peace in Prince George's County” and urged that it not “be taken lightly by anyone, that its dedication become something much more than a routine, perfunctory, civic observance.”

Thus far, approximately 2,500 county citizens and residents have shown their support for the Peace Tree Project through active participation in the countywide plantings. During the spring, they planted more than 4,000 trees at 120 locations. This fall, the citizens and residents will again come together to plant the remaining 6,000 trees. The last tree - the 10,000 th- tree - will be planted on October 15, 2005 at the Gorgeous Prince George’s Day celebration.

All county residents, businesses, schools and homeowner associations interested in participating in the fall tree planting, can obtain an application beginning in mid- August from any of the county libraries or online at the county’s website at www.goprincegeorgescounty.com.

###