[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN SUPPORT FOR RECOGNITION OF WORLD WATER DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2017

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, every year on March 22nd we 
recognize World Water Day. It highlights drinking water is a basic 
right denied to many.
  According to the United Nations fact sheet for World Water Day of 
2017, a source of drinking water contaminated with feces, which puts 
them at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio. 
Unsafe water, poor sanitation and 842,000 deaths each year.'' This is a 
reality for people around the world including here in the United 
States.
  Flint, Michigan has been without clean drinking water for almost two 
years. There were high levels of lead in the water supply which is 
contributing to a growing number of chronic illnesses in the region. It 
was not until this month that the EPA awarded funds to repair the pipe 
system in the city of Flint to hopefully decrease the amounts of lead. 
Unfortunately, Flint is not the only city struggling in this capacity. 
Last year, Reuters published an article that announced thousands of 
other cities had dangerous levels of lead in their water systems. This 
is an unacceptable reality that cannot remain ignored. The health of 
Americans, especially children and the elderly will remain at risk 
daily if this problem remains unchecked.
  Under Trump's new executive order, ``Restoring the Rule of Law, 
Federalism, and Economic Growth by reviewing the `Waters of the United 
States' Rule,'' rolls back the landmark environmental rule that allows 
the government to limit the amount of pollution that enters into our 
streams, rivers, and wetlands. Originally the rule protected 60 percent 
of water sources in the U.S.; however, under this administration, whose 
primary concern seems to be protecting big business and corporations, 
these water sources are at risk.
  As Members of Congress, we must take steps to protect our water 
supply as a matter of public health. We need to address the situations 
in cities where lives are in danger due to contaminated water, both in 
the U.S. and around the world.

                          ____________________