Jeremiah Smith: “today is a historic day. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Graham, Mack, Voinovich, and Baucus, in introducing a…”

“today is a historic day. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Graham, Mack, Voinovich, and Baucus, in introducing a measure to restore, preserve and protect one of America's unique ecosystems: the Everglades. More than six months ago, I went to Florida and made a promise to the people of that state and this nation. I promised to make Everglades restoration my top priority as the new chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. I am proud to say that after many months of hard work, intense negotiation, and through it all, uncompromising dedication, we have before us the bill to restore America's Everglades. Our bill not only has the support of the two Senators from Florida, the chairman and ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the chairman of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, it has the support of the State of Florida and the administration. It truly is bipartisan. It truly is historic. We all know that the Everglades face grave peril, but such dire situations do not always serve to motivate Congress to act, particularly in a presidential election year. The truth of the matter is that the federal government is partially responsible for the condition of the Everglades and it is our obligation to fix what we helped break. The Everglades cannot afford for Congress to delay.”