IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 846 

Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of April of 

each year as Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 11, 2020 

Mr. RUSH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 

Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Urging the people of the United States to observe the month 

of April of each year as Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice Month. 

Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful 

involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, 

implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, 

regulations, and policies; 

Whereas fair treatment suggests that communities should not 

endure an inordinate amount of adverse environmental 

consequences related to commercial, industrial, or governmental policies; 


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•HRES 846 IH 

Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of 

Colored People urges that environmental injustice, including the proliferation of climate change, has a disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income communities in the United States; 

Whereas Hazel M. Johnson, widely regarded as the mother 

of the environmental justice movement, fought for environmental justice in Chicago beginning in the 1970s; 

Whereas, in 1979, Johnson founded People for Community 

Recovery, a grassroots organization focused on empowering communities to fight against environmental racism 

and injustice; 

Whereas Johnson lived in Altgeld Gardens, a Chicago Housing Authority public housing project that was exposed to 

sources of environmental hazards, including from industrial factories, sewage treatment facilities, asbestos, and 

lead; 

Whereas Johnson investigated the effects of environmental 

hazards at Altgeld Gardens by engaging governmental 

bodies and documenting chronic health issues after her 

husband died of lung cancer and their children contracted 

respiratory and skin conditions; 

Whereas Johnson, through her investigations, uncovered that 

Altgeld Gardens was built on high concentrations of hazardous waste that contributed to chronic health burdens, 

drinking water contamination, and air pollution; 

Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery informed residents of Altgeld Gardens of their right to protection from environmental and health hazards through 

workshops, trainings, rallies, and youth programs; 


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•HRES 846 IH 

Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery held 

both businesses and governments accountable for negligent waste disposal and pollution practices by engaging 

in protests, hearings, petitions, and lobbying government 

officials; 

Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery not 

only benefitted South Side Chicago communities, but also 

led national conversations to improve the fair treatment 

and meaningful involvement of all communities seeking 

equal protection from hazards; 

Whereas Johnson testified before the United States Congress 

regarding the need for public-private partnerships to support environmental justice initiatives, which resulted in 

the formalization of a Federal interagency working group 

to address concerns; and 

Whereas Johnson, through vigilance and activism, gave lowincome and minority communities a voice in the fight 

against environmental racism and injustice: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of Hazel M. John3 son Environmental Justice Month; 

4 (2) honors the work of Hazel M. Johnson and 

5 other environmental justice advocates; and 

6 (3) calls upon the people of the United States 

7 to observe Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice 

8 Month. 

Æ 


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