[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               EARTH DAY

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor 
of Earth Day, which we will celebrate this Friday. Each year on Earth 
Day we recommit to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for 
our future generations.
  When Pope Francis addressed Congress over 6 months ago, he called for 
a courageous and responsible effort to redirect our steps and to avert 
the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by 
human activity.
  That is why I believe that the greatest thing that this Chamber can 
do right now in honor of Earth Day is to fully reauthorize the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund.
  The Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided critical funding to 
help protect and preserve our natural areas, our water resources, and 
our cultural heritage.
  So it is an important source of funding that allows so many of our 
Nation's urban youth to understand the environment, to get to know the 
wilderness, to gain that valuable understanding and respect for 
wildlife and our environment.
  We must act responsibly and permanently reauthorize the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund.

                          ____________________