[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE A NATIONAL PRIORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it was barely 20 years ago when 
the nation first became concerned with minority communities and the 
disproportionate impact from polluting facilities. At that time, we 
referred to this problem as environmental racism. This was a term which 
strongly depicted the harsh reality and the disparities of 
environmental policy or practices affecting individuals, groups, or 
communities based on race or color. In the last decade, the pursuit 
against environmental racism has been transformed into an effort to 
achieve environmental justice in all socio-economic communities, 
suggesting that we are making wiser environmental policy decisions and 
engaging in a proactive approach.
  On February 11, 1994, President Clinton signed Executive Order (EO) 
12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low-Income Populations. EO 12898 required that all 
appropriate federal agencies collect data on the health and 
environmental impact of their programs and activities on ``minority 
populations'' and ``low-income populations'' and to develop policies to 
achieve environmental justice. EO 12898 also requires federal agencies 
and their funding recipients to fully comply with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 by conducting their programs and implementing 
policies in a nondiscriminatory manner.
  Despite EO 12898, federal efforts to achieve environmental justice 
have been minimal at best. In fact, in 2002, the U.S. Commission on 
Civil Rights held hearings on the issue and concluded that due to 
organizational and financial limitations, ``there is inconsistency and 
unevenness in the degree to which agencies achieved integration of 
environmental justice into their core mission.'' It also noted that 
``current funding and staffing levels [at federal agencies] undermine 
meaningful Title VI enforcement at a time when there are increasing 
judicial barriers to enforcing Title VI.''
  I come to the floor today to introduce legislation that expands the 
definition of environmental justice, directs each Federal Agency to 
establish an office of environmental justice, reestablishes the 
interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice, and 
requires that EO 12898 remain in force until changed by law. My 
legislation represents a significant step in ensuring that current and 
future federal policies reflect the intentions and goals of EO 12898 
and protect minority and low-income communities from poor environmental 
and energy decisions and policies.
  I ask for my colleagues support, and urge the House Leadership to 
expeditiously bring this critical legislation to the House floor for 
consideration.

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