Recognizing Dani Kugler

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dani Kugler of Kersey, Pennsylvania, Elk County.

Dani currently serves as the city of St. Mary's Parks and Recreation director. She was recently recognized by Parks and Recreation magazine with the National Recreation and Parks Association's ``30 under 30'' award for young professionals leading the way in 2024.

This award is given to young professionals who raise the bar for the parks and recreation profession. Dani was selected from a pool of over 100 applicants and scored on the impact on the agency's community and service population; contributions to the professional development of the field of parks and recreation; and for innovative ideas, programs, or research in the field of parks and recreation.

Dani was hired as the first year-round and full-time director in June 2019. In her 5 years serving the St. Mary's area, she has established a strong social media presence and increased membership and program participation by 40 percent. She has also successfully increased the city's 15 summer-only program events to 45 year-round programs and events.

This is the first time in St. Mary's history that its park director has been recognized for this award.

I congratulate Dani on this much-deserved recognition. I look forward to seeing continued growth and development of the St. Mary's Parks and Recreation Department.

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