[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E357-E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE GREAT LAKES--A NATIONAL TREASURE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 2016

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, Teddy Roosevelt, America's original 
conservationist said, ``We are prone to speak of the resources of this 
country as inexhaustible. This is not so.''
   This could not be more true for our nation's water: the lakes, 
rivers, streams, and oceans that enrich our land and people.
   That's why, today, World Water Day, I would like to address the 
importance of protecting one of our national treasures, the Great 
Lakes. I have had the opportunity to represent parts of both Lake Erie 
and Lake Ontario during my time in Congress and serve as co-chair of 
the House Great Lakes Task Force. I know first-hand just how important 
the lakes are to my district, the region, as well as the country and 
planet.
   The Great Lakes represent 20 percent of the world's fresh water 
supply and 95 percent of our nation's fresh water supply. They are a 
source of drinking water, jobs, and recreation for millions of 
Americans. They are one of our country's most precious resources.
   We have an obligation to protect and rehabilitate this precious 
resource. From historic problems which have risen from mistakes made 
generations ago to new threats, like climate change, there are so many 
matters endangering the health of our Great Lakes. This is why programs 
such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are so important to our 
region. The GLRI has funded the cleanup of toxic substances and has 
helped to combat the threat to our lakes from invasive species.
   We are all aware of the threat Asian Carp and other invasive species 
pose to the Great Lakes water system. The Asian Carp have been 
destructive to the rivers and streams that they have invaded and we 
must do everything in our power to prevent them from entering the Great 
Lakes at all. They have no natural predators to keep their populations 
in check and we cannot afford to let these fish wreak havoc on the 
ecosystems of the Great Lakes.
   I have consistently supported efforts to proactively protect our 
systems from dangerous invasive species and will continue to do so. I 
encourage my colleagues to join me. We need to make sure to hold 
Congress responsible for adequately funding the programs such as the 
GLRI and to work proactively to prevent the introduction of pollutants 
and species that threaten the safety and security of our water.
   In fact, humans can only survive four days without water. Ensuring 
the safety and availability of our water is truly life or death.
   These magnificent bodies of water are truly precious and we must do 
all that we can to protect these national treasures for future 
generations.

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