[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 52 (Thursday, March 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E786-E787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND EARTH HOUR 
                                MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
importance of Earth Hour 2009, sponsored by the World

[[Page E787]]

Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF has been a major advocate for our earth 
and addressing the environmental threats we face. Earth Hour 2009 is an 
opportunity for individuals all across globe to join together in 
responding to the rapid deterioration of our earth's climate. On March 
28, 2009 at 8:30 pm (EST), the world will come together to participate 
in the first global vote for action on climate change. With their light 
switch as their ballot, hundreds of millions of people in more than 75 
countries will cast a powerful, visual vote for action by turning off 
their lights for one hour.
  Earth Hour was first celebrated two years ago in Sydney, Australia in 
partnership with the WWF, when 2.2 million people and thousands of 
businesses turned off their lights for one hour. In March 2008, Earth 
Hour went global with more than 50 million people in over 400 cities 
participating, including an estimated 36 million Americans.
  Earth hour 2009 has expanded its reach with the support of nearly 
1,000 cities around the world, including U.S. cities Atlanta, Chicago, 
Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, 
Nashville, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St. Louis, and 
Washington, DC. Additionally, international cities committed to the 
cause include Beijing, Copenhagen, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, 
and Paris.
  Madam Speaker, by participating in Earth Hour here in the U.S., it 
sends a message that Americans care about climate change and stand with 
the rest of the world in raising awareness about this escalating 
crisis. With every flick of a light-switch, a vote is cast for 
meaningful action. I urge my colleagues take part in this historic 
event by turning off their lights and taking a stand for our 
environment on March 28.

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