[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 68 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 653--RECOGNIZING THE 54TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY 
       AND THE LEADERSHIP OF ITS FOUNDER, SENATOR GAYLORD NELSON

  Ms. BALDWIN (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Ms. Duckworth, 
and Ms. Butler) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works:

                              S. Res. 653

       Whereas Earth Day is observed annually around the world to 
     demonstrate support for preserving, protecting, and defending 
     the environment, the planet, and the inhabitants of the 
     planet;
       Whereas Senator Gaylord Nelson, a native of Clear Lake, 
     Wisconsin--
       (1) established Earth Day as an event and movement led by 
     young people;
       (2) is recognized as one of the leading environmentalists 
     of the 20th century; and
       (3) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his 
     public leadership;
       Whereas the Earth Day movement established by Senator 
     Gaylord Nelson helped launch an era of international 
     environmental awareness and activism;
       Whereas young individuals were critical in the organization 
     and mobilization of 20,000,000 individuals on the first Earth 
     Day in 1970, making that celebration the largest 
     environmental grassroots event in history at that time;
       Whereas ongoing environmental degradation, accelerating 
     climate change, and increasingly severe weather events 
     threaten the well-being and livelihoods of the individuals of 
     the United States and individuals around the world, 
     including--
       (1) coastal communities, which are especially vulnerable 
     and are experiencing erosion, flooding, and pollution; and
       (2) rural and agricultural communities, which are facing 
     increased risk of drought, diseases, pests, and soil 
     degradation;
       Whereas pollution, environmental degradation, and the 
     climate crisis are generational justice issues that 
     disproportionately impact young individuals and future 
     generations, who will face difficulties accessing clean water 
     and clean air;
       Whereas low-income communities and communities of color 
     continue to face disproportionate harm from climate change, 
     pollution, and environmental degradation;
       Whereas multiple national and international scientific 
     reports have concluded that the climate crisis is a threat to 
     the planet that requires urgent action;
       Whereas the first Earth Day spurred broad support for 
     environmental conservation and contributed to the creation of 
     the Environmental Protection Agency and the enactment of 
     bipartisan legislation with bedrock Federal environmental 
     protections, including the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et 
     seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
     1251 et seq.), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
       Whereas Congress enacted once-in-a-generation legislation, 
     including the Inflation Reduction Act (Public Law 117-169) 
     and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 
     117-58), which make historic investments in clean water and 
     clean air;
       Whereas the United States has experienced a youth-led 
     resurgence in environmental and climate activism that has led 
     to hundreds of thousands of individuals in the United States 
     demanding climate action; and
       Whereas the mission and purpose of Earth Day remain 
     relevant in 2024, for a new generation to face environmental 
     challenges that lie ahead: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes April 22, 2024, as the 54th anniversary of 
     Earth Day; and
       (2) commends the leadership and vision of the founder of 
     Earth Day, Senator Gaylord Nelson.

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