[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONCERN FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF THE RULE ON H.R. 3425, 
               DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

  (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, we did not inherit the Earth from our 
ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children. Quite frankly, our 
stewardship leaves something to be desired. Forty percent of our 
Nation's waterways are not swimmable or fishable. A much higher 
percentage of our waterways are not drinkable. In some communities in 
this richest, most technologically advanced Nation in the world, people 
have to get up and turn on their radio for a weather report to find out 
if it is safe to go out and breathe the air.
  Mr. Speaker, that is totally unacceptable. It is totally unacceptable 
on a bipartisan basis. Republicans as well as Democrats are concerned 
about our environment.
  Today we have an opportunity to do something to express our concern. 
It ends a 6-year campaign that I have waged to elevate EPA to Cabinet-
level status. We have to give it a top priority.
  There are going to be some key votes this afternoon. The first vote 
is the rule. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that that is the key vote. 
Everybody, every thinking person, wants to elevate EPA to Cabinet-level 
status.

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