[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17950]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes are our Nation's greatest 
natural resource. They are the source of 95 percent of our surface 
freshwater and are directly connected to 1.5 million jobs.
  Though efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes have made great 
strides over the past several decades, many challenges remain. Invasive 
species, pollution, and habitat loss in the Great Lakes have a negative 
effect on recreation and tourism, as well as on the general economy.
  I was pleased to sign a bipartisan letter along with other Members of 
the House to request at least $300 million for the Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative in the President's fiscal year 2014 budget.
  Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been 
invaluable in efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. I 
strongly encourage the President and my colleagues in Congress to 
ensure that it is fully funded going forward.

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