[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF WORLD WATER DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2007

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of World Water Day, along with 
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, the Chair of the Transportation & 
Infrastructure Subcommittee Water Resources and the Environment.
  Every 15 seconds, a child dies from lack of access to safe drinking 
water and sanitation. This resolution is intended to help us raise 
awareness of this leading cause of preventable death.
  For the last 15 years, March 22nd has been designated as World Water 
Day in order to draw attention to the global water crisis and inspire 
action to alleviate this unnecessary tragedy. While over the past 20 
years, two billion people have gained access to safe drinking water, 
approximately one in six people in the world are still without this 
most basic building block of life.
  Last Congress, the House and Senate both passed the ``Senator Paul 
Simon Water for the Poor Act,'' which made safe drinking water and 
sanitation key priorities in U.S. foreign assistance. However, much 
more needs to be done both at home and abroad to ensure safe, 
affordable, and sustainable access to water for people everywhere.
  I invite my colleagues to cosponsor this important resolution.

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