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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 653 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 653

Recognizing the 54th anniversary of Earth Day and the leadership of its 
                    founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2024

Ms. Baldwin (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. King, Ms. Duckworth, and 
 Ms. Butler) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
             the Committee on Environment and Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the 54th anniversary of Earth Day and the leadership of its 
                    founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson.

Whereas Earth Day is observed annually around the world to demonstrate support 
        for preserving, protecting, and defending the environment, the planet, 
        and the inhabitants of the planet;
Whereas Senator Gaylord Nelson, a native of Clear Lake, Wisconsin--

    (1) established Earth Day as an event and movement led by young people;

    (2) is recognized as one of the leading environmentalists of the 20th 
century; and

    (3) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his public 
leadership;

Whereas the Earth Day movement established by Senator Gaylord Nelson helped 
        launch an era of international environmental awareness and activism;
Whereas young individuals were critical in the organization and mobilization of 
        20,000,000 individuals on the first Earth Day in 1970, making that 
        celebration the largest environmental grassroots event in history at 
        that time;
Whereas ongoing environmental degradation, accelerating climate change, and 
        increasingly severe weather events threaten the well-being and 
        livelihoods of the individuals of the United States and individuals 
        around the world, including--

    (1) coastal communities, which are especially vulnerable and are 
experiencing erosion, flooding, and pollution; and

    (2) rural and agricultural communities, which are facing increased risk 
of drought, diseases, pests, and soil degradation;

Whereas pollution, environmental degradation, and the climate crisis are 
        generational justice issues that disproportionately impact young 
        individuals and future generations, who will face difficulties accessing 
        clean water and clean air;
Whereas low-income communities and communities of color continue to face 
        disproportionate harm from climate change, pollution, and environmental 
        degradation;
Whereas multiple national and international scientific reports have concluded 
        that the climate crisis is a threat to the planet that requires urgent 
        action;
Whereas the first Earth Day spurred broad support for environmental conservation 
        and contributed to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency 
        and the enactment of bipartisan legislation with bedrock Federal 
        environmental protections, including the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 
        et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 
        seq.), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
Whereas Congress enacted once-in-a-generation legislation, including the 
        Inflation Reduction Act (Public Law 117-169) and the Infrastructure 
        Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which make historic 
        investments in clean water and clean air;
Whereas the United States has experienced a youth-led resurgence in 
        environmental and climate activism that has led to hundreds of thousands 
        of individuals in the United States demanding climate action; and
Whereas the mission and purpose of Earth Day remain relevant in 2024, for a new 
        generation to face environmental challenges that lie ahead: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes April 22, 2024, as the 54th anniversary of 
        Earth Day; and
            (2) commends the leadership and vision of the founder of 
        Earth Day, Senator Gaylord Nelson.
                                 <all>
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