I am proud of my strong environmental voting record.

In closing, I leave you with this thought, it is not a question of whether we can afford to protect the environment, rather it is a question of whether we can afford not to.

I challenge my colleagues to work towards its passage.

Environmental Justice matters. We must begin to eliminate the mentality that our nation's poorest communities can be used as dumping grounds for our industrial achievements.

Earth Day must also serve as a reminder that even today, we still have a need for improvement.

It is clear today, maybe more so than in 1970, that there is a global connection through the environment.

As a member of this body, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Earth Day.

We must also strive as global citizens toward safer drinking water and cleaner air at home and abroad.

It is not a question of whether we can afford to protect the environment, rather it is a question of whether we can afford not to.

We now must begin to realize the responsibility we have in providing under developed nation with the environmental technology that will allow them to grow as they move towards a more industrialized society.

We must begin to eliminate the mentality that our nation's poorest communities can be used as dumping grounds for our industrial achievements.

Earth Day has been a catalyst for the enactment of some of our nation's most important laws.

Environmental Justice matters.

I would like to call to your attention the importance of volunteerism to our Nation.

Instead, a greater importance must be placed on volunteerism as a means of helping people.

I would like to personally congratulate the Retired Senior Volunteers Program on their upcoming 25th anniversary.

This community-based organization is improving the quality of life for thousands by helping to deliver a brighter future to those in need.

Prologue, Inc. has also established an intergenerational alternative education program, and has provided community-based educational, counseling, and referral services for low-income juvenile offenders.