Thomas Daschle: “Teddy Roosevelt said that, ``Conservation is a great moral issue, for it involves the patriotic duty of ensuring the…”

“Teddy Roosevelt said that, ``Conservation is a great moral issue, for it involves the patriotic duty of ensuring the safety and continuance of the nation.'' As a result of the translation of that ethic into the legislative process, and the foresight of our political predecessors, the United States today leads the world in efforts to protect the environment. Our laws have become models for other nations' efforts to grapple with their own air and water pollution and wildlife conservation challenges. And, as a result of this commitment to a healthier environment, the United States has succeeded in reversing the course of environmental degradation that we followed for too long. Today, on Earth Day, rivers and lakes are cleaner, waste is being disposed in a more secure and responsible manner, and the air most of us breath contains fewer dangerous pollutants, such as lead. We can rejoice at the progress made. Congress and a number of Republican and Democratic Presidents can and should take credit for this accomplishment. The tangible environmental success this Nation has experienced over the last three decades is one of the reasons I have been so disappointed by the direction of the debate over the environment in the 104th Congress.…”