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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 846 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

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;
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;
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 low-income and minority 
        communities a voice in the fight against environmental racism and 
        injustice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Hazel M. Johnson 
        Environmental Justice Month;
            (2) honors the work of Hazel M. Johnson and other 
        environmental justice advocates; and
            (3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice Month.
                                 <all>
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