[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E613]]



                         CELEBRATING EARTH DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Earth Day. Today, 
we observe and celebrate the twenty-eighth annual Earth Day. Every year 
on this date, the people of our nation and across the globe focus their 
attention on the environment. The spring observation of Earth Day gives 
us the opportunity to renew our commitments to environmental 
preservation with activities from tree plantings to workshops and 
community clean-ups. I have long been an advocate of conservation and 
environmental protection, and I am particularly proud to lend my voice 
to this celebration.
  Now more than ever, Americans enjoy the benefits of our country's 
natural resources, from our National Parks to our forests, lakes, 
rivers, and beaches. Environmental protection is consistently 
recognized as an overwhelming concern of the American public. A new 
study released yesterday affirms that environmental concerns span 
generations, from teenagers to baby boomers. Earth Day offers us the 
opportunity to continue the challenging task of protecting our natural 
resources I believe that it is the responsibility of Congress to enact 
legislation to help create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. 
We must work to ensure that our children and future generations can 
live in a clean environment.
  Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have made significant progress 
in preserving our environment. Much has been accomplished in terms of 
protecting our natural resources and cleaning our environment. Because 
of the diligence of many, our land, air, and water are cleaner. Species 
such as the bald eagle have been saved from the brink of extinction. 
However, there is much work to be done, both nationally and 
internationally. The environment and our health are threatened more 
than ever. For example, a study released this week indicates that a 
mass extinction of plants and animals is currently underway. This rate 
of loss, perhaps up to 20% of all species in the next 30 years, is much 
greater than at any time in history. A mass extinction of this 
magnitude could pose a major threat to humans in the next century. 
Earth Day offers us the opportunity to applaud our progress, but more 
importantly, today's celebration allows us to renew our commitment to 
the challenges facing our planet. It is important to raise the 
awareness about the continued threats to our environment, and the 
positive steps that we can take to face these hazards.
  I consider environmental protection to be a national priority. We 
must continue to work for the preservation of our natural resources and 
protection of the public's health. As Henry David Thoreau wrote in 
Walden, ``Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.'' The 
bounty of nature cannot be wasted, and we must preserve and protect 
this treasure for future generations. The hard work of our nation will 
lead to a healthier world to live and flourish. Today, Earth Day, let 
us reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner world.

                          ____________________