Washington, D.C. - In recognition of the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement.
Senator Boxer said: "It has been four decades since the first Earth Day in April 1970. Then, America was at an environmental crossroads. The air was so polluted that you could see it; and the water was so filled with toxic waste that rivers caught on fire. Many Americans realized we were rapidly destroying our environment, and they organized for action.
"Because of laws that Congress passed following the first Earth Day, we have made tremendous progress in protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Countless lives have been saved over the past four decades, and now we must work together to prevent polluters and their friends in Congress from rolling back our environmental and public health safeguards. We must not go backwards. Our children and our grandchildren are counting on us.
"We must follow the science, stand up to the special interests, and address climate change -- while we protect the landmark environmental laws that have been so successful."
Senator Boxer said: "It has been four decades since the first Earth Day in April 1970. Then, America was at an environmental crossroads. The air was so polluted that you could see it; and the water was so filled with toxic waste that rivers caught on fire. Many Americans realized we were rapidly destroying our environment, and they organized for action.
"Because of laws that Congress passed following the first Earth Day, we have made tremendous progress in protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Countless lives have been saved over the past four decades, and now we must work together to prevent polluters and their friends in Congress from rolling back our environmental and public health safeguards. We must not go backwards. Our children and our grandchildren are counting on us.
"We must follow the science, stand up to the special interests, and address climate change -- while we protect the landmark environmental laws that have been so successful."
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