WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, issued the following statement today commemorating World Environment Day 2005 and the five days of events in San Francisco, Calif.: “I congratulate the City of San Francisco and State of California in hosting World Environment Day for the first time in the United States. Like Earth Day, World Environment Day offers us the opportunity to not only celebrate the significant progress we have made worldwide in improving the environment, but also to remind us of the personal responsibilities we share as citizens to further that progress. As we reflect on decades of achievements, we must be mindful of the fact that the best solutions to today’s environmental challenges are rooted in encouraging innovation and advancing newer, cleaner technologies. To do that, we must foster economic growth to spur new investments, and steer clear of policies that will hinder or expose our economy. A 187% increase in U.S. GDP over three decades coupled with a 54% reduction in air pollution over the same period of time proves the point. As a father and grandfather, I believe that part of the legacy we leave for future generations should include the cleanest air, purest waters, and healthiest lands we can have. To meet those goals, shared across party lines, state lines, international boundaries and continents, we must maintain the focus on achieving real results and relying on sound science that is untainted by partisan or political motivation.”