[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E621-E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            EARTH DAY, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, Earth Day helps us to remember that 
environmental issues know no political bounds and affect all of the 
people, plants, and animals of the world community. It is essential 
that the policies our Government enacts, and the personal activities we 
undertake reflect our profound concern for safeguarding the Earth.
  From combating global climate change to protecting threatened species 
to maintaining clean air and pure water standards, we have a duty to 
act locally and globally to protect the environment for present and our 
future generations.
  Saving the planet may seem to be an insurmountable task, but in order 
for our children to have a brighter future we must commit ourselves to 
an environmental policy which seeks to establish a clean, safe, and 
productive environment.
  We must not forget the air we breathe, our most precious resource. 
Americans can clearly see, smell, and feel the difference that 
pollution has made in their lives. As a strong supporter of the Clean 
Air Act, I understand the need for clean air standards. So too, we must 
not neglect our efforts to purify our water. By encouraging innovation, 
cooperation, and the development of new technologies for pollution 
reduction, these standards build upon the spirit of ingenuity that is 
the foundation of America's leadership in the world.
  Moreover, the issue of global warming is one that affects us all. 
Without our intervention, global warming will find sea levels 
continuing to rise, an increase in heat-related deaths, increased 
allergic disorders, and other serious air quality programs.
  By burning oil, coal, and natural gas to power our cars, heat our 
homes, light our cities, and through deforestation and clearing of land 
for agriculture, we are releasing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere 
more quickly than we can remove them.
  Over the last century atmospheric levels of these gases have steadily 
climbed and are predicted to increase as global economies grow. The 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ICC) estimates that global 
surface air temperature will increase approximately another 5 degrees 
in the next 100 years. The ICC also predicts that ``the balance of 
evidence suggest that there is a discernible human influence on global 
climate.'' With this in mind, we need to act now to protect our planet.
  I invite my colleagues to join with Secretary of State, Madeleine 
Albright, in her pledge to announce ``A full court press to encourage 
meaningful developing country participation in the effort to combat 
global climate change''.

  As chairman of the International Relations Committee, I understand 
the importance of using our leadership in the United States to assist 
other countries in developing and maintaining successful environmental 
programs. I

[[Page E622]]

personally have led efforts to protect whales from commercial hunting 
and to protect African elephants from the deadly effect of the 
international ivory trade. I have also been in the forefront in 
bringing greater awareness to the linkages between refugees, world 
hunger, and national security to environmental degradation. In 
addition, if we do not assist in the survival of indigenous and tribal 
people, their wealth of traditional knowledge and their important 
habitats will no longer be available for the rest of mankind.
  Earth Day is a successful incentive for ongoing environmental 
education, action, and change. Earth Day activities address worldwide 
environmental concerns and offer opportunities for individuals and 
communities to focus on their local environmental problems. As you may 
know, along with several of my colleagues, I introduced H.R. 1256, 
which was approved by Congress to authorize the purchase of Sterling 
Forest. Added to existing parks, this purchase created a 15,000 acre 
area of greenery just 40 miles north of New York City. I am pleased to 
state that we have also received an additional $8.5 million funding for 
this important project. Along with Rep. Sue Kelly, I have requested 
funding for the Hudson Valley national heritage area, which would help 
preserve the history, culture, and traditions of our beautiful region. 
I am also proud to note that my 20th district of New York is home to 
the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, one of the country's leading 
climate study institutions.
  Earth Day is a powerful catalyst for people to make a difference 
toward a clean, healthy, prosperous future. We must not continue with 
the lax attitude that someone else will clean up after us. We need to 
take care of our world today. I cannot think of a better day to commit 
to this than today, on Earth Day. Let us salute all of the people who 
observe Earth Day, in all ways, large or small.

                          ____________________