[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 41 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE DAY

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 241 submitted earlier today by 
Senators Rockefeller, Byrd, and Reid.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 241) designating April 11, 2002, as 
     ``National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Madam President, it is my pleasure to join my 
colleagues Senator Hatch and Senator Byrd to introduce a resolution 
designating April 11, 2002 as National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day. I 
have long been a supporter of alternative fuels and alternative fuel 
vehicles because they contribute to our nation's energy independence 
and provide needed environmental benefits.
  The transportation sector accounts for more than 65 percent of the 
petroleum consumed in the United States. Reducing the amount of 
petroleum used by the transportation sector by encouraging greater use 
of alternative fuel vehicles and fuels will improve our energy security 
and bring the added benefit of reducing emissions from that sector of 
the economy. As the price of gasoline continues to rise, these facts 
are perhaps more relevant than ever before.
  Adoption of this Resolution will enhance a national event this 
Thursday, April 11, 2002, organized by industry leaders, educational 
institutions, Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) coalitions, and others. 
The event, called National AFV Day Oydssey, is a public awareness event 
being held in more than 50 locations in 31 states nationwide with more 
than 72 organizations. Thousands of people will participate all over 
the country. The purpose of the event is to build awareness and 
enthusiasm for AFV's as a viable option for consumer and fleet 
transportation.
  The debate over energy security and national security issues has been 
at the forefront of policy discussions in recent months. We must, as a 
nation, continue searching for alternatives to our dependence on 
foreign oil. Supporting these existing and new environmentally friendly 
transportation choices will reduce our oil use and help prevent the 
environmental damage being done by conventional cars, trucks, and vans.
  Alternative fuel vehicles offer the opportunity for continued 
personal mobility while significantly reducing the harm done to the 
environment. Nearly 100 cities across the U.S. fail to meet federal air 
quality standards, and approximately 62 million people live in counties 
where monitored data show unhealthy air for one or more of the six 
``criteria'' pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ozone, 
particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide).
  For many urban areas, alternative fuel vehicles can be a particularly 
important means to substantially reduce emissions of mobile source 
pollutants, including volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen 
that are the precursors of smog. When integrated into America's 
transportation network in meaningful quantities, alternative fuels--
such as electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, methanol and 
propane--can contribute to mitigating the environmental problems caused 
by the transportation sector.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution and 
preamble be agreed to, en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 241) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 241

       Whereas the energy security of the United States needs to 
     be strengthened to prevent future terrorist attacks;
       Whereas the United States needs to reduce its dependence on 
     foreign oil;
       Whereas the United States needs to improve its air quality 
     by reducing emissions from the millions of motor vehicles on 
     the Nation's roads;
       Whereas the United States needs to foster national 
     expertise and technological advancement in cleaner 
     alternative fuel vehicles;
       Whereas the people of the United States need more choices 
     in cleaner transportation;
       Whereas the people of the United States need to know that 
     alternative fuel vehicles are a positive choice for 
     transportation; and
       Whereas it is in the public interest of the United States 
     to foster the support for new and existing technologies that 
     offer more environmentally friendly transportation choices 
     for the people of the United States during peacetime or 
     wartime: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 11, 2002 as ``National Alternative 
     Fuel Vehicle Day'';
       (2) proclaims ``National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day'' as 
     a day to promote programs and activities that will lead to 
     the greater use of cleaner transportation in the United 
     States; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation, calling 
     upon interested organizations and the people of the United 
     States--
       (A) to promote programs and activities that take full 
     advantage of the new and existing technologies in cleaner 
     alternative fuel vehicles; and
       (B) to foster public interest in the use of cleaner 
     alternative fuel vehicles through the dissemination of 
     information.

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