[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E708-E709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, today marks the 40th year in which the 
United States has set aside a day to reflect upon our responsibility to 
protect the environment and preserve it for future generations.
  In 2007, the scientific community confirmed that the evidence of 
warming is ``unequivocal.'' The consensus of this finding should not be 
understated. Global warming is real and human activity is the main 
cause.
  Consider these facts: The 10 warmest years on record have all been 
since 1990. Worldwide, 2005 was the hottest of all. In the United 
States, 2008 was the warmest year ever. These rising temperatures have 
been accompanied by many changes. Hurricanes are more severe. Water 
levels are rising. Droughts are becoming longer. Mountain glaciers are 
receding around the world.
  While these facts are daunting, the good news is that there is still 
time to enact policies that will curb the harmful impacts of climate 
change. The House of Representatives took an important step last year, 
when we passed legislation that will put caps on the amount of 
greenhouse gases we emit into the air each year. It also facilitates 
the research and development of renewable energy sources that will

[[Page E709]]

not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also create hundreds 
of thousands of new jobs.
  On this Earth Day, I also want to reiterate my commitment to ensuring 
that Congress fully funds Great Lakes clean-up programs. The Great 
Lakes are a national treasure and having spent my entire life living in 
or near Chicago, I have a tremendous connection to the Great Lakes; my 
home in Evanston is only a few blocks from Lake Michigan.
  As anyone who has spent any considerable amount of time in a Great 
Lake state knows, the Lakes are more than just a group of fresh water 
lakes--they play a significant part in shaping our way of life, our 
traditions, and our future. In addition to its sentimental value, the 
Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan, serve as an important resource, 
providing 20 percent of all the surface water in the world.

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