    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 22, 1999]
    [Page 604]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 604]]

    Statement on Earth Day
    April 22, 1999

        Today, the last Earth Day of the 20th century, is an opportunity to
    celebrate America's achievements in protecting our environment and
    public health and to dedicate ourselves to meeting the environmental
    challenges of the new century ahead.
        Working together, we have made tremendous progress since the first
    Earth Day in cleaning our air and water, protecting our communities and
    children from toxic threats, and preserving our precious lands.
    Americans have demonstrated time and again that we can safeguard our
    environment even as we grow our economy. I am proud of all that Vice
    President Gore and I have done to advance these efforts over the past 6
    years.
        Today the Vice President announces a
    national strategy to reduce air pollution and restore pristine skies in
    our national parks and wilderness areas so future generations can see
    and enjoy them in all their natural splendor. This is but one effort to
    leave this a better land for our descendants. I join the Vice President
    in calling on Congress to approve our lands legacy initiative,
    dedicating permanent funding so that years from now Americans can
    continue protecting and restoring the deserts, mountains, coastlands,
    and plains that are so much a part of our Nation's heritage.
        A new century brings new environmental challenges--perhaps the
    greatest is global warming. There is no clearer reminder that we are,
    indeed, all members of one global community. Only by acting together--as
    a nation, and in partnership with other nations--can we avert this
    common threat. This is a challenge the Vice President and I are fully
    committed to meeting.
        It is my sincere hope that when Americans gather 100 years from now
    to celebrate Earth Day, they will remember us as dedicated stewards of
    our Nation's air, water, and land, and will instill the same spirit in
    all those who follow.