[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 19186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, in July of this year, Governor Mike 
Easley of my State of North Carolina, issued a proclamation designating 
the week of October 21-27, 2001 as ``World Population Awareness Week.'' 
The proclamation draws attention to the serious issues associated with 
rapid population growth and urbanization, including infrastructure, 
pollution, transportation, health, sanitation, and public safety 
problems. I join Governor Easley in his recognition of World Population 
Awareness Week. I ask unanimous consent to have his proclamation 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   A Proclamation Designating World Population Awareness Week by the 
                Governor of the State of North Carolina

       Whereas, the world population stands today at more than 6.1 
     billion and increases by some one billion every 13 years; and
       Whereas, the most significant feature of the 20th century 
     phenomenon of unprecedented world population growth was rapid 
     urbanization; and
       Whereas, cities and urban areas today occupy only 2 percent 
     of the earth's land, but contain 50 percent of its population 
     and consume 75 percent of its resources; and
       Whereas, the most rapid urban growth over the next two 
     decades is expected in cities with populations ranging from 
     250,000 to one million; and
       Whereas, along with advantages and amenities, the rapid 
     growth of cities leads to substantial pressure on their 
     infrastructure, manifested in sanitary, health and crime 
     problems, as well as deterring the provision of basic social 
     services; and
       Whereas, in the interest of national and environmental 
     security, nations must redouble voluntary and humanitarian 
     efforts to stabilize their population growth at sustainable 
     levels, while at all times respecting the cultural and 
     religious beliefs and values of their citizens; and
       Whereas, the theme of World Population Awareness Week in 
     2001 is ``Population and the Urban Future'';
       Now, therefore, I Michael F. Easley, Governor of the State 
     of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 21-27, 2001, as 
     ``World Population Awareness Week'' in North Carolina, and 
     commend this observance to all our citizens.

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