Jim Costa: “I would like to once again rise to address the water crises that are facing not just California, but our Nation and…”

“I would like to once again rise to address the water crises that are facing not just California, but our Nation and throughout the world. Today, global communities and business organizations have joined together, and the White House is holding a water summit to raise awareness of the 650 million people around the world who don't have access to safe drinking water, urging leaders to focus on ways in which we can increase access to safe, sanitary water. This is appropriate, but it is long overdue. On the Web site, waterday.us, it states: ``Water stress is the impact a lack of water has on a particular sector or population. Water stress affects nutrition, public health, environmental services, housing and urban growth, and national security.'' {time} 1030 And national security is directly related to our ability to grow food to ensure that American consumers are independent and have sufficient nutrition for their daily consumption. Water, therefore, is a resource issue of the future not only for our Nation, but throughout the world. These impacts of not having a reliable and safe water supply are all too familiar for those of us who live in the San Joaquin Valley in California and my colleagues who represent that area.…”