[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    EARTH DAY INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a 
resolution recognizing the growing observance of Earth Day. On April 
22, 1970, 20 million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day. Since 
Earth Day's first observance, the number of Americans celebrating Earth 
Day and the number of countries observing Earth Day has steadily risen. 
In fact, Earth Day is now observed in more than 140 countries.
  Every year on April 22, millions of Americans and millions of people 
throughout the world participate in activities that call attention to 
harmful human activities that impact our natural environment. These 
calls have not gone unanswered. Since the first observance of Earth 
Day, Congress has passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and 
the Endangered Species Act in an effort to halt and roll back the 
harmful impacts of human activity. In addition, we have seen the 
creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and just 
recently, in the House Committee on Resources, we witnessed a 
successful bipartisan effort to provide funding for an array of 
conservation and wildlife programs.
  Earth Day provides an opportunity to learn about the positive actions 
we can take to improve energy efficiency; to develop safe, renewable 
energy sources; to design goods that are durable, reusable, and 
recyclable; and to eliminate the production of harmful wastes while 
protecting our environment and encouraging sustainable development 
throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the importance of Earth Day 
and calls on the House of Representatives to recognize that Earth Day 
should be established to draw attention to the impact of human activity 
on the natural environment, to alert the world to environmental threats 
to human health and well-being, and advocate personal actions and 
public policies to promote and preserve a healthy, diverse, resilient, 
and productive world for our children and our children's children.
  This is a companion measure to one already introduced in the other 
chamber by Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to support this worthy resolution.

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