[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 103 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING THE GREAT LAKES RESTORATION FINANCING ACT OF 2003

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                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, today along with Congressman Reynolds and a 
bipartisan coalition of members from the Great Lakes states, I am proud 
to introduce the Great Lakes Restoration Financing Act of 2003.
  Holding one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water supply and nine-
tenths of the U.S. supply, the Great Lakes and their connecting 
channels form the largest freshwater system on Earth. Thirty years 
after passage of the U.S. Clean Water Act, Great Lakes water quality 
has improved, but the Lakes remain unhealthy for wildlife and people 
and there is clear and convincing evidence that the ecosystem is 
deteriorating.
  For example, bacteria from sewage overflows led to a record 897 beach 
closings in 2002 on Lake Michigan alone. Additionally, twenty percent 
of the Great Lakes shoreline contains polluted sediments. Further, 
state and local authorities have issued more than 1,500 fish 
consumption advisories in the Great Lakes.
  Clearly in crisis, the Great Lakes are the source of drinking water 
for 28 million people. The Everglades, the source of freshwater for 
much of the state of Florida, faced a similar threat in the mid-1990's. 
Congress responded with the creation of a massive restoration effort. 
Building on that successful national model, the Great Lakes Restoration 
Fund would establish a funding source for Lakes restoration and 
revitalization based upon President Bush's Great Lakes plan.
  Following the President's ``Great Lakes Strategy 2002'' as its guide, 
the Great Lakes Restoration Fund would provide states with significant 
funds for Lakes restoration. Specifically, the Fund would ensure the 
economic and ecologic sustainability of the Lakes, clean up toxic hot 
spots, combat invasive species, control pollution from urban and 
agricultural runoff, restore and conserve wetlands and critical coastal 
habitat, and increase public education of Great Lakes issues.
  The United States is blessed with tremendous natural 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 American families.
  Mr. Speaker, we refuse to let this happen. This bill will begin to 
heal the damage done over the years. I strongly encourage my colleagues 
to support us in this important endeavor by cosponsoring the Great 
Lakes Restoration Financing Act of 2003.

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