III 

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; 


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•SRES 653 IS 

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 


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•SRES 653 IS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes April 22, 2024, as the 54th anni3 versary of Earth Day; and 

4 (2) commends the leadership and vision of the 

5 founder of Earth Day, Senator Gaylord Nelson. 

Æ 


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