[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8551]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today is World Environment Day. 
Established by the United Nations and now in its 40th year, World 
Environment Day draws the attention of the international community to 
the urgent and continuing need to address environmental issues.
  A ``green'' economy is one whose growth in income and employment is 
driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions 
and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the 
loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to 
be incentivized and supported by targeted public-private partnerships, 
policy reforms, and regulation changes.
  One of the main engines for economic growth is a higher rate of 
employment, which both reduces the burden on the economy and gives 
consumers the purchasing power to sustain a middle-class standard of 
living through supporting industries. And ``greening the economy'' 
creates good-paying jobs.
  The theme of this year's celebration is ``Green Economy: Does it 
Include You?''
  On behalf of the 7,000,000 residents of the 37th Congressional 
District of California whom I represent, I am proud to answer this 
question in the affirmative. The people, businesses, and institutions 
of the 37th Congressional District of California have taken 
groundbreaking steps to strengthen and advance America's green economy. 
For example, the Port of Long Beach's Clean Trucks Program has reduced 
air pollution from harbor trucks by 90 percent. The City of Long Beach 
has implemented several initiatives aimed at `greening' its economy, 
including the Green Business Recognition Program, the Environmental 
Purchasing Policy, and the foundation of the Green Job Center.
  As a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have worked to 
advance environmentally sustainable policies that will position our 
country to compete and win in the global economy of the 21st century. 
In the 111th Congress, I introduced the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 
DERA, of 2010, which extended a national and State-level grant, rebate 
and loan program that created jobs and improved the Nation's air 
quality. This legislation also provides economic incentives to decrease 
emissions and protect the environment, which will result in significant 
health benefits for communities across the country. DERA was signed 
into law by the President on January 4, 2011.
  I am also proud to have voted to pass such other important `green' 
legislation as the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the Home 
Star Jobs Act, and Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and 
Individual Credits Act.
  Mr. Speaker, since its inception in 1972 World Environment Day has 
grown to become one of the main vehicles to focus attention and 
encourage action by the international community in support of the 
environment. World Environment Day is a day for people from all walks 
of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter 
outlook for themselves and future generations.
  Everyone counts in this initiative and everyone can help make a 
difference. Whether by organizing a neighborhood clean-up, stop using 
plastic bags and get your community to do the same, planting a tree, 
walking to work, starting a recycling drive, everyone can contribute to 
making our communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.
  So on World Environment Day, I commend all those individuals and 
organizations across the Nation and around the world for the 
contributions they are making and urge all Americans to join them in 
the worthwhile effort.

                          ____________________