[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GREAT LAKES TOO IMPORTANT TO NEGLECT

  (Mr. JAMES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JAMES. Mr. Speaker, as a proud native Michigander, I am keenly 
aware of the importance of our Great Lakes. I grew up enjoying the 
national treasure of the Great Lakes, and I want the same opportunity 
for my three young boys and for generations and centuries beyond.
  Michigan was blessed with a bountiful abundance of natural resources, 
holding the second-most coastline of any State in the Union because of 
our Great Lakes.
  Our Great Lakes are too important to neglect. They are too important 
for our economy, national security, and Michigan's way of life.
  Mr. Speaker, that is why I joined a bipartisan, bicameral delegation 
to introduce legislation that would extend the Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative. With the Great Lakes contributing over 90 percent of our 
Nation's fresh surface water and being the world's largest store of 
freshwater, it is critical that we continue to allocate resources to 
the GLRI.
  The Great Lakes generate $62 billion in wages annually, and every 
dollar invested in the GLRI yields $3.35 of economic activity. It is 
literally a good investment and good for our environment, too.
  Mr. Speaker, I implore all of my colleagues to support the GLRI 
extension to bolster the prosperity of our communities while 
simultaneously affirming our commitment to preserving the health and 
vitality of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

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