[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM ACT OF 2002

  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I am pleased to have joined with Senator 
Jeffords, as well as Senators Leahy and Schumer, in introducing the 
``Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002.''
  I thank Chairman Jeffords, with whom I have the honor and pleasure of 
serving on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, for 
introducing this legislation and naming it in tribute to my 
predecessor, New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Senator Jeffords 
is a great Chairman, a great environmental leader, and a great 
supporter of this natural and cultural resource that our states share--
the Lake Champlain Basin and the Champlain Valley. I am proud also to 
be a sponsor of legislation authored by Senator Jeffords to establish 
the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
  The Lake Champlain Basin is a unique and beautiful region, bounded by 
the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains of New 
York. It is a place of majestic mountain peaks; deep, blue waters; and 
abundant cultural, historic, and natural resources. The Lake is the 
sixth largest natural freshwater lake in the United States, and home to 
a many species of fish, birds and other wildlife.
  We need to protect and enhance the environmental integrity and the 
social and economic benefits of the Lake Champlain basin. And that is 
precisely what we aim to do through this legislation, which will 
authorize $55 million over the nest 5 years for this purpose.
  That this legislation and this program are being named after Senator 
Daniel Patrick Moynihan is a most fitting tribute. Senator Moynihan 
was, and still is, a great advocate of Lake Champlain and the Champlain 
Valley, whether supporting the rich heritage and history of the area, 
or protecting the environmental quality of the Lake and Basin.
  Senator Moynihan appreciates that the environmental quality of the 
Lake and basin are key to the vitality of the area as a whole, and 
worked tirelessly during his tenure to protect the health of the basin. 
Naming the Lake Champlain Basin Program Act and the program itself 
after Senator Moynihan is a fitting tribute to his efforts to ensure 
that this natural treasure will survive for generations to come.
  As we all remember, it was in 1990 that Senator Moynihan joined with 
Senator Jeffords, as I am joining with him today, in sponsoring the 
invaluable Lake Champlain Special Designation Act. The act outlined an 
unprecedented collaboration among broad interest groups to protect the 
environmentally sensitive Lake Champlain basin, as well as spark 
recreational activity and economic revitalization in the basin area. 
Under the act, the Lake Champlain Management Conference was created and 
charged with developing a comprehensive plan for pollution prevention 
and water quality restoration.
  The legislation that we are introducing builds upon the Lake 
Champlain Special Designation Act of 1990, in which Senator Moynihan 
played a key role during the 101st Congress. It also builds upon the 
plan that came out of that 1990 legislation, entitled ``Opportunities 
for Action.'' The plan was approved by the Lake Champlain Steering 
Committee earlier this year and is the guiding document for this new 
legislation, which will provide new and important resources for 
countries in Vermont and for Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren 
and Washingotn counties in New York State.
  This is important environmental legislation, but it is also important 
economic development legislation for key areas of upstate New York. 
Therefore, I am proud to sponsor this legislation with Chairman 
Jeffords, and to name this legislation after my illustrious and 
esteemed predecessor, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

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