[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        H.R. 2681 AND H.R. 2250

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the two bills, H.R. 2681 and H.R. 
2250, are an affront public health and to our environment.
  When we take our air, waters and land for granted; when we show a 
simple lack of respect for nature and our environment, we unmake God's 
good creation. Over 40 years ago, Republicans and Democrats passed the 
Clean Air Act because they believed that every American child deserved 
to breathe clean air. They believed that every American child deserved 
an environment free from toxic pollutants that cause cancer and impair 
their ability to learn.
  EPA standards, like the ones attacked in this bill, did not run our 
economy off the cliff. EPA standards did not drive us into debt, or 
stop the banks from extending credit. But here we are, ready to stop 
common sense protections are 11 years overdue. If enacted, these bills 
would make damaging changes to the Clean Air Act. We would stop future 
EPA standards from protecting our children and our families from 
mercury and toxic air pollution. 2,500 lives are lost for every year 
these pollution reductions are delayed.
  There are protesters right outside this building, Mr. Chairman. They 
want us to take up the American Jobs Act. They want it passed. They 
don't need another attack on the Clean Air Act. They don't need another 
attack on the public's health. We're wasting their time, Mr. Chairman.
  It is my strong belief that our country needs environmental 
protections and that real protections do not have to come at the 
expense of jobs or our economy. Whatever we do to the earth, we do to 
each other. I urge my colleagues to vote no.

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