[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACCESS AND IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2007

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Environmental Justice Access and Implementation Act of 2007. I am 
pleased to stand with my friends Representatives Hilda Solis, Keith 
Ellison and John Conyers for the environmental health of all 
communities by reintroducing this legislation updated from its previous 
introduction as H.R. 1648 in the 109th Congress. Once again, this bill 
will seek to direct federal agencies to establish offices of 
environmental justice, integrate environmental justice into the core 
missions of Federal agencies, and establish community technology 
centers to increase access to information about environmental hazards.
  Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, environmental injustices 
against communities of color and lower-income families have been 
identified throughout the Nation. Coupled with decades of thorough 
research acknowledging ``environmental racism'' and encouraging the 
pursuit of ``environmental justice,'' a tremendous movement has 
emerged.
  Recently, the United Church of Christ report ``Toxic Wastes and Race 
at Twenty: 1987-2007'' was released, synthesizing decades of 
environmental justice movement developments. This groundbreaking 
document chronicles the experiences of many communities throughout our 
Nation disadvantaged by environmental burdens. This report and other 
research demonstrate that federal agencies need to put their money 
where there mouth is to meet the expectations of Executive Order 12898, 
Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low Income Populations, which was signed by former 
President Clinton on February 11, 1994. Our communities deserve access 
to information about the hazards of their immediate environment and 
have waited well over a decade for the goals set forth by the Executive 
Order to be met.
  Madam Speaker, I first introduced this legislation with a number of 
my colleagues in 2005 and eventually garnered the support of 67 
cosponsors. To once again meet these goals and better compliment other 
legislative initiatives to achieve environmental justice, I have made a 
few key updates to this legislation in consultation with many 
stakeholders. Updates to this legislation include authorization of 
$1,000,000 annually for each established office of environmental 
justice in relevant agencies, as well as reporting requirements to 
increase the effectiveness of federal agency implementation and ensure 
proper Congressional oversight. This legislation has also been updated 
to refine criteria for the development of community technology centers, 
which will increase the accessibility of information about 
environmental hazards in many communities.
  For over a decade, agencies have been mandated to examine the impact 
of their policies on the environmental health of minority and low-
income communities. Once we give those mandates true legal standing, we 
will be able to turn those mandates into action that directly serves 
our communities. We must legislate accountability and conscience in our 
permitting processes and environmental action to reduce the burden on 
low-income populations and communities of color. I am confident that 
the provisions of the Environmental Justice Access and Implementation 
Act will do just that.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I encourage my colleagues to support this 
necessary legislation and look forward to its expedient passage.

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