[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8972]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND EARTH HOUR 
                                MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
importance of Earth Hour 2009, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund 
(WWF). The WWF has been a major advocate for our earth and addressing 
the environmental threats we face. Earth Hour 2009 is an opportunity 
for individuals all across globe to join together in responding to the 
rapid deterioration of our earth's climate. On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 
pm (EST), the world will come together to participate in the first 
global vote for action on climate change. With their light switch as 
their ballot, hundreds of millions of people in more than 75 countries 
will cast a powerful, visual vote for action by turning off their 
lights for one hour.
  Earth Hour was first celebrated two years ago in Sydney, Australia in 
partnership with the WWF, when 2.2 million people and thousands of 
businesses turned off their lights for one hour. In March 2008, Earth 
Hour went global with more than 50 million people in over 400 cities 
participating, including an estimated 36 million Americans.
  Earth hour 2009 has expanded its reach with the support of nearly 
1,000 cities around the world, including U.S. cities Atlanta, Chicago, 
Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, 
Nashville, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St. Louis, and 
Washington, DC. Additionally, international cities committed to the 
cause include Beijing, Copenhagen, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, 
and Paris.
  Madam Speaker, by participating in Earth Hour here in the U.S., it 
sends a message that Americans care about climate change and stand with 
the rest of the world in raising awareness about this escalating 
crisis. With every flick of a light-switch, a vote is cast for 
meaningful action. I urge my colleagues take part in this historic 
event by turning off their lights and taking a stand for our 
environment on March 28.

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