[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, the week of October 20-25 has been 
designated as World Population Awareness Week with the theme of 
``Water: Our Most Precious Natural Resource.'' Over the next 20 years 
the world's population of 6.3 billion is projected to increase to 
nearly 9 billion before leveling off.
  As currently, these 6.3 billion people are dependent on 1 percent of 
all the water on earth. A recent study revealed that 58 areas of the 
United States--from Florida and Georgia to western Texas to northern 
California and southern Oregon, as well as most of heartland U.S.A.--
are water stressed. Acting on the global consensus that water scarcity 
must be a top development priority, the Population Institute has 
decided to dedicate the 19th World Population Awareness Week to the 
issue of water and I applaud their efforts.
  More than 80 nations, 165 organizations, 127 mayors, and 22 
governors, including Governor John Baldacci of Maine, have proclaimed 
the week of October 20-25 as World Population Awareness Week with the 
theme ``Water: Our Most Precious Natural Resource.'' I call that 
proclamation to my colleagues' attention in hopes of promoting the 
importance of an adequate and safe water supply for future generations.




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