[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E713-E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EARTH DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Earth Day.
  On Earth Day, we celebrate the limitless gifts of our natural world--
the incredible life-giving forces that sustain us through every single 
day of the year. It is all too easy to take the air we breathe, the 
water we drink, the earth we walk for granted. Today, we pause to 
recognize what precious gifts these are.
  We need this reminder now more than ever. Our environment is fragile, 
threatened by global climate change, exploding demand for resources, 
and other serious challenges. Our future depends upon how we respond. 
Congress, the President, and every nation on the globe must commit to 
charting a new course toward sustainable and earth-renewing lives.
  Earth Day reminds us that we must act to protect our environment not 
just out of obligation or self-preservation, but because it is simply 
the right thing to do for the next generation. We owe our children and 
grandchildren our strongest efforts to clean up pollution, preserve our 
wild spaces, and reduce the human footprint on our globe.
  As Americans, we also owe a unique debt to Planet Earth. Our nation 
is responsible for 25% of the world's energy consumption--far more than 
our fair share. If we continue consuming at this rate as nations like 
India and China increase their resource demands, our planet will change 
forever in ways that will seriously impact all of our lives.
  The United States must lead the urgent effort to find a different 
path. We must find ways

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to responsibly use the resources of our earth while simultaneously 
renewing our environment and making it stronger. We are more than up to 
the task--Americans have always been pioneers and innovators, and 
nature has always played a vital role in that frontier spirit. Our 
ancestors tamed the wilderness; now it is our challenge to sustain and 
preserve it.
  In the 110th Congress, the House has passed historic legislation to 
protect our planet. We have acted to improve vehicle fuel efficiency, 
promote renewable sources of energy and invest in new energy-efficient 
technologies. In addition, we have proposed legislation to slow, 
stabilize and ultimately reverse greenhouse gas emissions. I urge the 
Bush Administration to partner with Congress and the American people to 
enact these bold proposals.
  One of the greatest joys of my life has been sharing in the wonder of 
the natural world with my family, my friends, and especially my 
children. Whether a simple walk outside or a trek to the Alaska 
National Wildlife Refuge, these experiences have renewed my spirit.
  Future generations deserve the same opportunity. This will only be 
possible if we fully embrace Earth Day's challenge to recognize the 
immense value of our environment and our planet. As we celebrate 
sprouting leaves, sunlight, spring, and all the splendor of nature, we 
also commit to ensuring that we can enthusiastically enjoy every Earth 
Day to come.

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