[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BUNYAN BRYANT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Bunyan Bryant, 
Ph.D., for winning the 2008 Helen and William G. Milliken Distinguished 
Service Award, from the Michigan Environmental Council, on May 28, 
2008.
  Dr. Bryant is a national leader in the field of environmental 
justice. His work helped not only to identify the pressing need to 
actively protect our environmental resources, but it also helped to 
show the glaring disparities in the communities affected by such harm. 
He is the founder and director of the Environmental Justice Initiative 
at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and serves 
as an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor at the school.
  Bunyan Bryant is a pioneering figure in the Environmental Justice 
movement. His work helped to show the correlations between adverse 
environmental impacts and the disproportionate affect they have on the 
lives of the poor and minorities. This relationship and the need to 
actively address such disparities, forms the bedrock of the 
Environmental Justice movement.
  Dr. Bryant has been more than just a strong voice for justice and the 
environment. He has been and continues to be a teacher, guide and 
mentor for his students. In his role as a professor he has touched 
thousands of lives. His work has helped to shape the next generation of 
environmental leaders. Bunyan possesses a unique ability to connect 
with students individually and help them understand the difference 
their efforts will make.
  I salute Dr. Bunyan Bryant for winning the 2008 Milliken Award. This 
honor is given to those who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to 
the environmental movement and its goals of improving our world through 
action. Dr. Bryant is certainly worthy of this recognition and I 
appreciate any chance to recognize him. I honor Dr. Bryant for his 
tremendous efforts and a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to a 
noble cause. I thank him for all that he has done.

                          ____________________