[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE 26TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY

                                 ______


                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the 26th Annual 
celebration of Earth Day. In the time since the first Earth Day, much 
has been accomplished in to the way of environmental protection. 
Landmark legislation such as the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, 
the Endangered Species, Act, and the establishment of the Environmental 
Protection Agency have resulted from a commitment to protection of our 
natural resources that is exemplified by Earth Day.
  There is no question that today our water is more clean and our air 
is more breathable than it was 25 years ago. Species that were 
threatened or endangered 25 years ago, such as the American Bald Eagle, 
are now thriving. Wetlands are better protected, toxic dump sites are 
more quickly identified and treated, environmentally sensitive sources 
of energy are being developed and put into use, and our public lands 
are more sensitively preserved and maintained.
  The job is certainly not complete. Much can be done to strengthen the 
laws on the books, but much can de done to make compliance with those 
laws more achievable. Long-term environmental protection can only be 
accomplished through a partnership between the environmental and 
business communities. In seeking to expand and improve environmental 
protection, we must also consider the legitimate concerns raised by 
those who live with the regulations.
  Despite all the positive and popular steps that have been taken to 
protect the environment in the past quarter century, and the additional 
work that needs to be done, the leadership of the 104th Congress has 
attempted to halt, roll back, and eliminate many of the protections for 
the environment we hold sacred. Legislation has passed the House during 
this Congress to dramatically reduce one of the most successful laws on 
our books, the Clean Water Act. While not perfect, the Clean Water Act 
has gone a long way towards cleaning up our Nation's rivers, lakes, and 
streams; but the bill that passed the House rejects those successes and 
represents a major step backward in cleanup of polluted waterways.
  Another target of this Congress has been the Environmental Protection 
Agency. In pursuit of a worthy cause--streamlining and making more 
efficient the environmental regulatory process--legislation has passed 
the House to establish stringent new requirements for risk assessment 
and cost benefit analysis of major federal regulations affecting 
health, safety, or the environment. Should this bill become law, it 
would hamstring EPA's ability to promulgate and enforce regulations 
designed to protect the environment.
  In addition, funding for EPA has been slashed by more than 25 
percent. The House Leadership's commitment to reducing environmental 
protection funding has resulted in fewer hazardous waste cleanups, a 
reduction in enforcement, and a decrease in needed water infrastructure 
and treatment programs.
  Today, as we celebrate the 26th anniversary of Earth Day, it is 
important to reflect on the successes that have been achieved in 
environmental protection over the years, and the work that must 
continue to be done to ensure our natural resources will be preserved 
for generations to come. Instead of misguided attempts to roll back 
protection, we need to develop ways to preserve our environment that 
are cost-effective, efficient, and responsible.
  I participated in the first Earth Day celebration in 1970 by walking 
to my teaching job rather than driving, and discussing with my students 
the responsibility each individual has to the environment. I have 
marked the anniversary of Earth Day each year since, and this year I 
helped to create a community garden with Americorps volunteers in my 
district.
  All of my life I have worked for sound environment, and I practice 
conservation and recycling at home and in my offices. As a member of 
the Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment, and the Science Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and 
Environment, I work as an advocate for substantive changes in law and 
policy that will ensure a quality environment.
  Concern about our environment must be reflected in each of our lives 
daily. From recycling our newspapers, to planting trees, to using 
public transportation whenever possible, together we can make our 
environment cleaner and safer. Let us each pledge to make every day, 
Earth Day.

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