[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING HILTON KELLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Hilton Kelley, a leader in the battle for environmental 
justice on the Texas Gulf Coast. Hilton Kelley is an advocate for 
communities living in the shadow of polluting industries. A life-long 
resident of Port Arthur, Texas, Hilton joined the Navy which eventually 
brought him to the San Francisco Bay Area where he began working as a 
stunt man and actor on several major movies and television shows 
including CBS's Nash Bridges.
  During a visit home, 21 years after he left Port Arthur, Hilton found 
his community sickened by industrial pollution and on the brink of 
economic collapse. Hilton realized then that in order to save his 
community, he needed to first tackle the environmental problems first. 
He launched Community In-power and Development Association, CIDA, and 
began training local residents to monitor air quality. As a result of 
Hilton's advocacy, the local refinery installed state-of-the-art 
equipment to reduce harmful emissions and also negotiated with them a 
$3.5 million fund to help entrepreneurs launch new businesses in the 
community.
  Hilton recognizes the disproportionate burden from pollution on 
communities of color, low-income people and indigenous communities 
needs to be reduced. These Americans are experiencing the highest rates 
of morbidity and/or death from asthma, cancer, learning disabilities, 
lead poisoning, lupus, and several other diseases. Hilton continues to 
work tirelessly to bring attention to the disproportionate burden of 
pollution on the most vulnerable members of our society advocating for 
regulations on the Gulf Coast and serving on the EPA's National 
Environment Justice Advisory Council.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Hilton Kelley for his 
determination and hard work to these causes. Our country is a better 
one because of Hilton Kelley.

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