[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LET US CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN A BIPARTISAN WAY

  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, next Monday we will celebrate Earth Day. I 
wonder if we will celebrate Earth Day in a bipartisan way.
  It is true that in recent years, we had witnessed some improvement in 
environmental standards for clean air and water, due in large part to 
bipartisan support provided previously by Congress.
  Yet, the 104th Congress has witnessed a dramatic change in attitude 
among many of my Republican colleagues.
  Escapes and loopholes have been inserted in many measures on behalf 
of those who would pollute, weakening the very laws that protect the 
health of the Nation.
  Thus, despite a quarter of a century of effort, investment, and 
concentration--toxic waste, unclean air, and unsafe drinking water is 
still a way of life for millions in the United States.
  Competing interests between the air we breathe, the water we drink 
and the land on which we live, versus economic efficiencies and profit 
for business interests have resulted in legislative action and inaction 
that has delayed and denied environmental improvement.
  Those who have suffered the most are the voiceless and the powerless.
  Yet, in spite of it all, there remains hope for the future.
  When we celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22, I hope all Members 
will pledge to provide something to celebrate about.

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