[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H6123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THREATS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
(Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a member of the Safe Climate
Caucus to note the extraordinary damage done by wildfires in Washington
State this summer.
It is a fact that our climate is changing. We just had one of the
driest springs and summers in more than a century that led to trees and
vegetation becoming kindling for the massive fires that we have seen.
The largest wildfire in our State's history hit central Washington,
forcing thousands to flee and putting firefighters in harm's way. We
have a wildfire that continues to smolder in Olympic National Park, a
rain forest. From Washington to California, brave emergency responders
have spent this summer on the front lines, battling flames, with no
signs of abating.
I believe it is time we pay attention to these warning signs. If we
want a better future for our kids, if we want to protect the
communities in which we live, then we need to confront the threats of
climate change.
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