[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2003

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to call attention to 
the Population Institute's annual World Population Awareness Week, 
which wild focus on ``Water: Our Most Precious Resource.''
  This event is one of great importance, and its topic, water, is one 
that demands immediate action. Currently, 1.2 million people worldwide 
lack healthy and abundant water. As a member of the world community, 
the United States has a commitment to aid our fellow human beings in 
obtaining their natural right to water. And, even more importantly, the 
United States has a commitment to itself, to ensure that no American 
will ever be without water. Many regions in America have a water supply 
that is strained beyond its capacity, leaving many Americans vulnerable 
to massive shortages of water.
  Unfortunately, the water supply problems are only becoming more 
prevalent, as currently there is a trend to turn water into a commodity 
through the privatization of the supply. Multinational companies that 
contract to supply developing countries focus on profit, not access. 
Their use of cost recovery measures increases profits for these 
companies through the additions of annual fees on water, but force many 
people to go without the essential and natural right to water because 
of burdensome costs.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 
importance of water to our world community and in recognizing the 
Population Institute's World Awareness Week.

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