[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E135-E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS: THE FLINT, MICHIGAN, WATER CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank Congressman Dan Kildee for 
his tireless work to bring justice for the residents of Flint. His 
work, and the work of Congressman John Conyers, Congresswoman Brenda 
Lawrence, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and so many Members of the 
Michigan Delegation, is essential to providing the families of Flint a 
voice as we address this crisis.
  Madam Speaker, the situation in Flint is nothing short of a tragedy--
and a tragedy that could have been prevented.
  Every day, we learn more information about how Michigan public 
officials sacrificed the health and futures of Flint residents in order 
to save a few dollars in water costs.
  This is a shame and a disgrace. The people of Flint deserve better 
from their leaders.
  As Members of Congress, we cannot stand silent while Americans are 
poisoned.
  First, to truly understand this crisis--you have to understand Flint.
  Flint is a majority African American city and the average household 
income is just $24,834 a year--that's barely HALF the average household 
income for the state. Let me say that again, the average household in 
Flint earns JUST half of what other Michigan households earn.
  Even before the water switched from Detroit to the Flint River, Flint 
had fallen on hard times.
  It was a city in need and instead of taking action, Governor Rick 
Snyder balanced the budget at the expense of Flint children, their 
health and their safety.
  Even after residents complained of brown water coming out of the 
taps, the state insisted nothing was wrong.
  But not everyone got the same treatment.
  Last January--a full year ago--state workers complained about the 
quality of water. While Flint residents were told the water was 
perfectly safe, the state employees were provided with bottled water.
  Even before that, in October 2014, the Flint General Motors factory 
complained that the water was corroding car parts. The city helped 
General Motors tap into a different, safer water line.
  While officials lined up to protect state employees and corporate 
profits, the residents of Flint were fed lies and lead.
  Madam Speaker--I have to ask:
  Would this have happened in another city, where the residents had the 
advantage of wealth?
  Or do these gross breaches of public trust only happen in cities 
where politicians see the residents as expendable?
  Sadly, I think we all know the answer to that question.
  Tragically, this isn't the first time a poor town has been poisoned--
and then ignored.
  In far too many low-income communities and communities of color 
across the country, this story is very familiar.
  They, like the families in Flint, have had their health, their well-
being and their futures traded in by callous politicians more concerned 
with expanding corporate profits than serving the public good.
  It's past time for Congress to take steps to address environmental 
racism and ensure that everyone--no matter their zipcode--has the 
opportunity to grow up safe and healthy.
  President Obama took the first step by declaring a state of emergency 
and extending $80 million in federal funding.
  But more can and must be done to address this public health crisis 
and ensure that this never happens again--in any community, anywhere.
  When I was in the California legislature, I worked to pass one of the 
first state bills regulating lead. This toxin was disproportionately 
impacting communities of color. I have seen firsthand the devastating 
impact of lead on children.
  I support the work of my colleagues who are demanding state and local 
officials are held accountable for this man-made disaster, a disaster 
that never should have happened.
  The tragedy in Flint reveals the real impacts of structural and 
institutional racism and classism on our community. I stand with the 
people of Flint in my outrage and will continue to demand answers.

[[Page E136]]

  As we do so, we must come together to address the impacts of lead 
poisoning on Flint's residents, particularly Flint's children. Because, 
sadly, for them, this crisis is just beginning.

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