Political Quotes

“I thank my friend from Hawaii for yielding time. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 729, the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, a package of 10 bipartisan bills that will make significant strides to address the critical challenges our coastal communities face as a direct result of climate change and sea level rise. Madam Chair, this is Taholah, the lower village of the Quinault Indian Nation. This photo doesn't show someone canoeing on a river or on a lake. It shows someone canoeing through the streets of their village after seawater flooded the area during a storm. Far too often and far too many times, we have seen more severe storms and rising sea levels threaten communities like this. In my region, we have seen it in La Push, where the Quileute Tribal School is in the crosshairs of a rising ocean. We have seen coastal challenges threaten public safety, public access, and cultural landmarks for these Tribes and others, including the Hoh and Makah Tribes. These communities are seeing the impact of climate change right now. Breached seawalls, persistent flooding, mold damage, tsunami threats, and coastal erosion put homes at risk. They put schools serving Tribal youth at risk and community centers serving elders at risk, not to mention important cultural sites that date back generations.…”