[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 51 (Monday, April 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNITION OF AMSA ON ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to 
congratulate the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, AMSA, 
on the occasion of its 35th anniversary and on its name change to the 
National Association of Clean Water Agencies or NACWA. NACWA is the 
only association that exclusively represents the Nation's municipal 
wastewater treatment agencies. Its 35-year record of advocacy and 
leadership in fully meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act has helped 
guarantee the chemical, biological and physical health of our Nation's 
rivers, lakes, streams, bays, and coasts.
  NACWA's members serve the majority of the sewered population in the 
country and treat and reclaim over 18 billion gallons of wastewater a 
day. Simply stated, NACWA and its members deserve to be celebrated for 
their ongoing role in the remarkable revitalization of America's 
waterways.
  Despite the improvements made so far to the Nation's waters, the 
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and NACWA understand that 
significant work remains to be done to achieve the lofty goals of the 
Clean Water Act. From the committee's close working relationship with 
the association, we know NACWA is well-positioned to continue to build 
on this Nation's water quality gains.
  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has looked to AMSA 
and will continue to look to NACWA as a valued informational resource. 
The association has always been willing to share its expertise and to 
provide leadership in challenging times. For example, in the wake of 
the attacks on September 11, 2001, the association responded 
immediately with creative ideas and vital leadership in developing 
tools and resources to help further secure the Nation's critical water 
infrastructure. In fact, the association has been a vital resource on a 
host of clean water issues from wet weather control and the critical 
need for a Federal-State-local partnership to meet the Nation's clean 
water challenges.
  As chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I have 
worked closely with the association and know that NACWA will build on 
its tradition as a trusted resource for Congress and the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency. I am also confident that NACWA will 
meet its strategic objectives and the goals of AMSA's original 
founders. Most importantly, NACWA's success is a direct result of its 
unparalleled membership. NACWA, then AMSA, was established in 1970 by 
representatives of 22 municipal wastewater treatment agencies. Since 
then, AMSA has grown into an organization of nearly 300 municipal 
agency members, including Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Tulsa, and a 
total membership of nearly 400 organizations poised to ensure that the 
21st century will enjoy continued water quality progress.
  The association's public agency members not only represent what is 
best about public service, they exemplify what it means to be 
environmental practitioners. Their daily work enables us to enjoy our 
Nation's rivers, lakes, streams and bays--somethng we as a National 
must never take for granted.
  Once again, I congratulate NACWA on this important milestone as an 
organization and applaud its members for their outstanding 
service.

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