[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

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                               speech of

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, the 
111th Congress has passed some of the most extensive and ambitious 
environmental legislation this country has seen since the 1970s. So it 
brings me great pleasure to be here in the House of Representatives to 
celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
  Such legislation includes the Recovery Act, which I was proud to 
support and has made historic job-creating investments in a clean 
energy future that will provide hundreds of thousands of jobs. The 
House also passed clean energy jobs legislation that enhances the 
American manufacturing base and will make the U.S. a world leader in 
new energy technologies.
  Additionally, I recently introduced the 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 
Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act, which will provide valuable 
cash rebates for the creation of 10 million small power plants located 
on the roofs of American homes and businesses throughout the country. 
This legislation will also create an estimated 1.35 million direct and 
indirect jobs, lower energy costs, strengthen the economy, and put 
America on the path to energy independence.
  Corporate interests have spent millions espousing mistruths and 
presenting a false choice to the American people--the idea that efforts 
to preserve our planet and ensure our own survival will destroy the 
American economy. However, this Congress has exposed these claims for 
what they really are--lies. The 111th Congress has proven that we can 
indeed strengthen the American economy and ensure that all Americans 
can breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water, and I am honored and 
proud to have been a part of such a historic effort.

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