[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25304-25305]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCING THE HIGHER EDUCATION SUSTAINABILITY ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce, along 
with my colleague Representative Vern Ehlers, the ``Higher Education 
Sustainability Act of 2007.'' This legislation authorizes funding for 
sustainability programs in American colleges and universities to 
develop, implement, and evaluate economic, environmental, and social 
sustainability programs. The legislation also directs the Secretary of 
Education to convene a summit of higher education experts to showcase 
best practices in the field of sustainability.
  Hundreds of U.S. cities and companies as well as international 
agencies, including the

[[Page 25305]]

United Nations and the World Business Council for Sustainable 
Development, are advancing sustainable practices in all arenas. As 
population growth, urban development and extreme weather incidents 
place greater stress on ecosystems around the globe; the need for 
developing innovative approaches to sustainable development becomes 
critical to our economic competitiveness, environmental health, and the 
strength of our communities.
  The ``Higher Education Sustainability Act'' would facilitate the 
development of programs that keep American students on the cutting edge 
of technology and global competition while benefiting our communities. 
The legislation also provides funds to establish rigorous benchmarks 
for evaluating programs, ensuring that sustainability graduates meet 
industry standards for best practices. With the threat of global 
warming looming larger every day, we must invest now in the research 
and human capital needed to address its impacts and sustain our economy 
and our communities.

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