[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5386) making 
     appropriations for the Department of the Interior, 
     environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2007, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the resolution 
expressing the Sense of Congress that calls for mandatory reductions of 
greenhouse gas emissions to address global warming.
  There is no doubt in my mind that global warming is happening and 
that man is contributing to it. Now, it is our responsibility to work 
to mitigate the impacts of potentially catastrophic climate change.
  The year 2005 is currently tied for the warmest year on record with 
1998. However, the warmth in 2005 is remarkable because, in contrast to 
1998, it was not boosted by El Nino. And since 1990, we've had the 10 
hottest years on record.
  Hurricanes are getting stronger, heat-waves are hitting harder and 
more often, and the polar ice cap and Greenland's ice are melting. We 
must act now.
  We need to deal with climate change with concerted action and with 
bipartisan dialogue, regional cooperation and an alliance between 
industry and environmentalists.
  The threat from global warming is very real, and we must act now to 
combat potentially catastrophic climate change. We cannot leave this 
legacy to our children and grandchildren.
  We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue our 
neglectful ways.

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