[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, 1994

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOSS. Madam Speaker, tomorrow is Earth Day. We've spent the last 
2 weeks here in a furious, sometimes acrimonious, effort to ram through 
a crime bill. Debate has centered on such issues as the death penalty, 
racial justice, how to stem the rise of juvenile crime, and other 
weighty topics.
  As we focus on crime and what ails our society, we tend to lose sight 
of elements of our everyday life that are vital to our health and 
wellbeing--things we too often take for granted the environment.
  Luckily, outside of this House people haven't forgotten about the 
environment--their year-round efforts to improve and preserve our 
planet--or their own little corner of it--benefit us all.
  In Florida, the health of the sensitive environment is especially 
important to our wonderful quality of life. The State's record of 
environmentally sound governance has received national recognition, 
including the appointment of Floridian Carol Browner to head up the 
Nation's lead environmental agency, the EPA.
  But, as the State of Florida knows, good environmental policy would 
be virtually meaningless without the efforts and involvement of the 
private sector and countless hardworking individuals. In my own 
district of southwest Florida there are numerous examples of 
extraordinary endeavors to improve the environment, as well as 
countless cases of sound stewardship of our fragile ecosystem--all 
undertaken by the private sector and involved people.
  For example--the students at the Peace River Elementary School in 
Charlotte Harbor, FL, know all about taking good care of their 
environment. Tomorrow they will receive a national award from America 
the Beautiful for their environmentally sound gardening and landscaping 
of the school grounds.
  Awards for excellent environmental stewardship are nothing new for 
the students and teachers at Peace River. In the past 2 years they have 
won awards from the south Florida water management district, the State 
of Florida, and the Audubon Society for achievements in xeriscaping--
using local plant species in landscaping--efforts to help end world 
hunger; and overall environmental quality.
  All these awards stem from Peace River Elementary School's Project 
SCAPE or students caring about planet Earth. Students are teachers 
began this program by surveying the grounds, then identifying the most 
suitable plants, fertilizers, et cetera to develop and maintain their 
gardens. The local community was invited to participate through 
donations of plants, tools, and other necessary items.
  Through the SCAPE Program, Peace River students have learned about 
the value to the local ecosystem of encouraging native species. They 
have studied insect and animal species, sustainable crop growth, and 
the wise use of limited water resources. Offshoots of the SCAPE project 
include student clubs and extra-curricular activities.

  Besides enhancing the campus and curriculum, the project has 
conserved water, and promoted school-wide student participation. SCAPE 
was launched, and continues, without any additional school funds, and 
it has brought parents and the local community together in support of 
the students and faculty.
  Madam Speaker, on Earth Day we will undoubtedly hear from various 
Government agencies about programs and regulations meant to preserve or 
heal the environment.
  But it is important to remember who has the primary responsibility 
for our environment: private citizens. So on Earth Day, let's celebrate 
the lesson that the Peace River students have learned--sewing the seeds 
of good environmental stewardship is everyone's responsibility, and it 
can bring a great harvest.

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