[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 46 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PROPOSING A GREAT LAKES TRUST FUND

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                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, today is Great Lakes Day on Capitol Hill. 
This annual event provides Great Lakes policymakers and opinion leaders 
with an opportunity to report on the current and future state of the 
Lakes. Holding one-fifth of the planet's fresh surface water, the Great 
Lakes are the source of drinking water for 28 million Americans, 
including 2.8 million Chicagoans. Today it is my sad duty to inform the 
Members of this body who are not already aware, that the Great Lakes 
are in grave danger.
  Thirty years after passage of the Clean Water Act, water quality has 
improved, yet the Lakes remain unhealthy and there is clear and 
convincing evidence that the ecosystem is deteriorating. In the past 
few years, state and local authorities have issued more than 1,500 fish 
consumption advisories. In 2001, bacteria from sewage overflows led to 
a record 599 beach closings. In Chicago, my home, there have been 152 
beach closings since 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system on Earth, 
are clearly in danger. In the mid-1990s, the Everglades, the source of 
freshwater for much of the state of Florida, faced a similar crisis. 
Congress responded with an $8 billion plan to restore the Everglades. I 
ask this body, are the Great Lakes, one of our nation's most valued 
national treasures, not worthy of a similar effort? I know they are.
  This spring I will introduce legislation to create a Great Lakes 
Trust Fund. My bill will fund the Administration's ``Great Lakes 
Strategy 2002.'' Additionally, it would establish a dedicated funding 
source for Lakes restoration and revitalization. My proposal would also 
create an advisory board consisting of the governors of the eight Great 
Lakes states, representatives of the Federal Government, and members of 
the scientific and business communities. Further, the advisory panel 
would be tasked with developing a comprehensive Lakes management plan, 
a biennial report to Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States is blessed with tremendous resources. 
The Great Lakes undoubtedly rank among the most treasured of these 
resources, but if this body allows them to deteriorate further--if we 
can no longer drink the water, and no longer swim at our beaches--we 
will have failed the people of this nation. I refuse to let this 
happen. My plan will begin to heal the damage done by years of neglect. 
I urge my colleagues to support me in this important national endeavor 
and I strongly encourage them to cosponsor my bill.

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