[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE COLORADO PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 15, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) on the celebration of 
its 30th anniversary of operation in Colorado. This outstanding 
nonprofit organization has been recognized as one of the state's 
strongest grassroots groups devoted to advocacy, action and results.
  In an effort to advocate for Colorado's citizens, CoPIRG's current 
programs focus on affordable health care, consumer protection, 
environmental advocacy, and the strengthening of our democracy.
  The cost of health care and prescription drugs are soaring and senior 
citizens and the uninsured are paying a disproportionate share of their 
incomes for their basic health care needs. CoPIRG, through its surveys, 
is advocating for Congressional reforms and urging our state government 
to develop buying pools to benefit those on fixed incomes and without 
employment most impacted by these spiraling costs.
  Coloradans have many areas where they need more personal and consumer 
protection. Through comprehensive reports each year prior to the 
holiday-giving season, Public Interest Groups across the nation have 
targeted unsafe toys in retail stores and on the Internet. For the past 
17 years, these reports have led to over 100 recalls and prompted the 
passage of a federal toy labeling law in 1994.
  Investor protections were highlighted last year when CoPIRG advocated 
for consumer privacy laws to protect credit card numbers from theft. 
This year, CoPIRG is working to strengthen laws governing the 
accounting industry in Colorado and increase funds for investigations 
and other reforms.
  Targeting corporate fraud, a CoPIRG backed law helped create an 
independent oversight system to ensure that audit firms aren't subject 
to conflicts of interest. Through a research report, consumers can 
reduce their banking fees through better knowledge of industry charges. 
In 2001, predatory lending practices were exposed through CoPIRG's 
research, leading Colorado's Attorney General to file civil suits 
against offenders, the first such action in the nation. In another 
national first, Colorado passed a law to provide consumers with free 
annual credit reports upon request.
  On the front lines of environmental and public health protection, 
CoPIRG has fought to strengthen air standards, reduce pollutants that 
cause global warming, smog and increase respiratory diseases such as 
asthma. In a campaign to keep our water clean and safe for drinking and 
recreation, PIRGs nationally are working to enforce toxic regulations 
on corporate violators.
  In an effort to protect our nation's coastlines, Public Research 
Interest Groups across the nation are advocating to leave wilderness 
areas free from oil and gas drilling. As one of the country's largest 
source of pollution, fossil fuels continue to be harmful to the nation. 
PIRGs across the country are working to support the use of renewable 
sources of energy through education and advocacy. With the motto, 
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, CoPIRG and other affiliates are building 
environmentally sound alternatives to keep our nation clean and safe 
for all its citizens.
  Fighting for Colorado's citizens, CoPIRG has partnered with Colorado 
Common Cause, the League of Women Voters of Colorado, the Colorado 
Environmental Coalition and other advocacy organizations to direct a 
county by county effort to expand voter participation through Colorado 
Citizens' Voice. Using training workshops, the coalition supports 
citizen involvement in government decisions and works for meaningful 
reform on critical issues.
  Through comprehensive reports and releases, CoPIRG keeps voters 
informed of campaign contributions, compiles statistics on campaign 
financing trends and continuously advocates for campaign finance reform 
and the protection of initiative process in Colorado.
  For the past thirty years, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West has 
been the proud home of Colorado Public Interest Research Group. For 
their many accomplishments on behalf of its citizens, we commend their 
service and wish them many years of future success.

                          ____________________