Rod Grams: “Today across our country, Americans are commemorating Earth Day, a day vitally important to all who serve in this…”

“Today across our country, Americans are commemorating Earth Day, a day vitally important to all who serve in this Chamber as well. As my colleagues know, Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970. Its purpose was, and it remains, to make people across the country and around the world reflect on the splendor of our planet, an opportunity to get the people to think about the Earth's many gifts we often take for granted. Earth Day is a day for us to renew our commitment to protect our environment and recognize the respect we must give our natural resources, recycling and replenishing whenever possible. The New York Times, on the original Earth Day, ran a story which in part read: Conservatives were for it. Liberals were for it. Democrats, Republicans and Independents were for it. So were the ins, the outs, the executive and the legislative branches of Government. Mr. President, the goals of Earth Day 1970 were goals upon which all of us agree. They are goals still shared across the country, regardless of age, gender, race, economic status, or religious background, and they are shared by this Senator as well. I consider myself a conservationist and an environmentalist, and I think everyone who serves in the Senate also does. No one among us is willing to accept the proposition that our children or grandchildren will ever have to endure dirty water or filthy skies.”