[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LARRY SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 1997

   Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my constituents, 
Mr. Larry Smith. On May 8, 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency 
and the Environmental Law Institute chose Mr. Smith as winner of the 
1997 National Wetlands Award. The award honors individual citizens who 
have dedicated their lives to preserving wetlands through programs and 
projects at the regional, State, and local level.
  For years, Mr. Smith has been a leader and a pioneer of the 
environmental movement in Memphis. His work to protect wetlands and 
prevent toxic pollution has benefited every Memphian. He has made a 
critical difference in saving the wetlands along the Wolf River, a 
tributary of the Mississippi River, which snakes through southwestern 
Tennessee and through my congressional district. This river is 
important, not only for its scenic beauty, but because it's surrounding 
wetlands recharge the underground aquifers which have provided the 
pristine drinking water the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County have 
enjoyed for decades.
  Mr. Smith has shown great skill as a grassroots organizer and 
educator of the public about the importance of protecting our 
environment. He has marshaled citizen concern about environmental 
issues, which has spurred our public officials to act to protect the 
environment.
  I know how committed Mr. Smith is to the environment, because I have 
worked closely with him to develop and introduce legislation that will 
protect the public from toxic wastes. On January 27, 1997, an explosion 
at a hazardous waste facility in Memphis exposed the citizens of the 
neighborhood to a cloud of toxic chemicals and polluted a nearby creek. 
Thankfully, no one was injured, but at least two highly toxic 
chemicals, toluene and xylene were released into the environment. With 
the experience and expertise of Mr. Smith, I introduced H.R. 843, the 
Common Sense Toxics Buffer Zone Act, a bill which would require a 5,000 
foot buffer zone between any residential community, school, day care, 
or church and the expansion or construction of a hazardous waste 
facility.
  Mr. Smith stands as an example for all of us to follow. He is a 
steadfast soldier in the fight for clean water, clean air and the 
heritage of our national wilderness. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Mr. Smith for receiving this prestigious award.

                          ____________________