Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of 5809, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. This legislation will reauthorize an important program that establishes a voluntary national and state-level grant and loan program to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines through clean diesel retrofits. This reauthorization is particularly important for the citizens of my home State of Georgia who face the 15th highest risk of premature death due to diesel soot, when compared to the lower 48 states. According to the Clean Air Task Force, diesel soot in Atlanta leads to 335 premature deaths, over 14 thousand asthma attacks, and over 250 cases of chronic bronchitis. The cancer risk of breathing diesel soot in Atlanta is 442 times the EPA's acceptable cancer level of 1 in a million. These figures are appalling and unacceptable. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has supported the cleanup of diesel engines throughout Georgia and every state in the union. Passage of this bill will improve health outcomes and save on health care costs across the country and that is why I urge my colleagues to vote yes. {time} 1040”