[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.