[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO INCREASE WORLDWIDE 
                  ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2004

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, two years ago this month, over 18 
nations came together at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 
Johannesburg and made a commitment to increase worldwide access to 
clean water and sanitation.
  Today, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to affirm the commitments 
made by the United States in Johannesburg, recognize efforts made to 
meet this commitment, and call for a greater effort by the U.S. and all 
developed nations towards meeting this public health, economic 
development, and environmental challenge. Original cosponsors of this 
resolution are Christopher Shays, George Miller, James Greenwood, Tom 
Allen and Mark Udall.
  In 2002, 17 percent of the world's population lacked access to safe 
drinking water and 42 percent had no access to basic sanitation. 
Between 2 million and 5 million people die each year because of this 
lack of clean water and sanitation, including 4,000-10,000 children 
every day.
  The resolution is supported by CARE, the Natural Resources Defense 
Council, MercyCorps, the National Wildlife Federation, Living Water 
International, and WaterPartners International.

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