Porter Goss: “I want to talk about some good news today. Over the last 20 years, we in this country have made measurable good progress…”

“I want to talk about some good news today. Over the last 20 years, we in this country have made measurable good progress in protecting our natural resources. Our air and our water are cleaner than they were in the 1970's, and we have reversed the decline of several of the endangered species. This is a good record. It is an admirable record. We all know there are still many areas where Federal attention is required today, but we also know that you cannot write thousands and thousands of pages of Federal regulations without some problems developing along the way. It is just common sense to take a look at current regulations and decide what works and what does not and look for ways to make a cleaner, safer, healthier environment for everyone and at the same time, of course, excise those unworkable and unfair regulations we have come to identify. This 104th Congress has been perceived by some as being antiregulation. Perhaps the truth is that the 104th has opposed overregulation. I think to his very great credit, the Speaker has taken the lead and formed a task force on the environment. I am pleased with the Speaker's determination to pass responsible environmental legislation. I am, frankly, personally happy to be part of his effort.”