Virginia Foxx: “Last week was the 44th Earth Day. Since the initial Earth Day in 1970, tremendous progress has been made on cleaning our…”

“Last week was the 44th Earth Day. Since the initial Earth Day in 1970, tremendous progress has been made on cleaning our water, cleaning our air, reducing pollution, and preserving the natural beauty of this great Nation. It is my privilege to represent one of the most beautiful places on the planet. North Carolina's High Country and the Blue Ridge Mountains are majestic. In the highlands you will find the nearly 6,000-foot high Grandfather Mountain, one of the tallest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway passes by the south side of Grandfather Mountain. I feel it is my duty to help protect these treasures, and I consider myself a conservationist. It is unfortunate, though, that the tremendous success of the environmental movement has led some self-appointed environmentalists to resort to ever more extreme goals and behavior. Maintaining a safe, clean, and beautiful natural world for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren to enjoy is a goal we should all share. ____________________”