[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PRESIDENT BUSH EXPECTED TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING TONIGHT--
                              NEEDS TO ACT

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 2007

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, over the last week we've heard that 
President Bush is finally going to admit tonight what most of us have 
known for years--that global warming is actually occurring and that we 
as a Nation need to take action.
  Tonight's expected pronouncement from the President is welcome news, 
but it does not excuse the administration's past record on global 
warming.
  Over the last six years, the Bush administration has served as a 
major roadblock to reversing dangerous warming trends. The President 
walked away from international efforts to help reduce this growing 
danger to our planet, refusing to actually lead on this critically 
important issue.
  In my home State of New Jersey, we are proud of the fact that former 
Governor Richard J. Codey took decisive action over a year ago to 
strengthen our State's efforts to combat global warming by classifying 
carbon dioxide as an air contaminant. This action made New Jersey one 
of the first States in the Nation to take such a step. By contrast, the 
Bush administration has been in constant denial about environmental 
dangers to our planet.
  I hope President Bush provides more than just lip service on global 
warming as he addresses the Nation tonight. After all, the President 
has pledged to reduce our dependence on foreign oil every year since he 
took office, while his policies have consistently made the problem 
worse.
  Last year was the hottest ever recorded in our Nation's history. Our 
planet simply cannot afford more inaction from this administration. I 
hope that the President is serious about joining us in producing 
policies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The time for action 
is long overdue.

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