Paul Tonko: “The Erie Canal, barge canal history, which is wonderful. But my point here is that there will always be struggle. For…”

“The Erie Canal, barge canal history, which is wonderful. But my point here is that there will always be struggle. For issues, there will be a counterforce to every force of perceived good that can happen, but that doesn't mean we should walk away because the climate or the environment is difficult. We go forward. We know what has to be done. History has been instructing us here. Science, through data compilation, is reminding us of some very tortuous outcomes that have been part of very atypical storms. Superstorm Sandy, which gripped the entire Northeast, was atypical. Tropical storms and hurricanes in upstate New York, unheard of, that produced all sorts of damage, including loss of life, loss of farm land, valuable farm land, loss of businesses, loss of homes in some ways, totally swept away by the forces of water. That is a difficult situation that needs to be addressed with infrastructure improvements. If not, if we do not take this to heart and mind, we will be, I believe, a lesser society for not having paid strict attention to both science and history which ought to guide us.”