Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce, along with the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Cardin; the Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Blumenthal; the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey; the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Merkley; the Senator from California, Mr. Padilla; and the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Whitehouse, a resolution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act, which was signed into law on October 18, 1972, is one of the most important environmental laws in the United States and our Nation's principal safeguard against pollution and the degredation of our Nation's water bodies. Five decades of Clean Water Act implementation has improved our Nation's waterways, wetlands, and water infrastructure, all while protecting public health and aquatic ecosystems. This resolution recognizes the historic achievements in improving water quality that have been made over the past 50 years. Perhaps the most memorable example of improved water quality is Ohio's Cuyahoga River. In 1969, the river was so polluted that it actually caught fire. It is a memory I will never forget. Now, because of the Clean Water Act, the Cuyahoga River has been cleaned up and is home to over 60 species of fish. Americans now have a law that seeks to protect them from industrial pollution in our rivers and streams or the indiscriminate destruction of our wetlands. Despite this progress, there have been various challenges and changes to the implementation of the law.…”