[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               LEAD CONTAMINATION IN GALESBURG, ILLINOIS

  (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I stand here as a Member of Congress; but 
years before that, I was a mother and a grandmother, and I still am. It 
is from all of these perspectives that I am deeply disturbed by recent 
tests in Galesburg, Illinois, that show a high contamination of lead. 
Even more alarming is that 5 percent of our children tested have 
elevated levels in their small bodies.
  If this happened to one of my kids, I can tell you I would ask for 
immediate answers and immediate action; and these families and these 
children deserve no less.
  Last Friday, I met with Galesburg city officials, and I urged them to 
apply for the low-interest Federal loans to replace the lead pipes that 
go to 4,700 homes in Galesburg. In addition to that, I support 
legislation that would call for improved reporting, testing, and 
monitoring of lead levels.
  As a Congresswoman, as a mom, as a grandma, I say to all responsible 
here: It is time. It is past time. No more excuses. No more delays. We 
need a long-term solution to a long-term problem.

                          ____________________