IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 479 
Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Executive Order 12898, Federal 
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and 
Low-Income Populations. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 11, 2014 
Mr. ELLISON (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. HAHN, Ms. LEE of California, 
Mr. MORAN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. HOLT, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. 
CHU, Mr. HONDA, Mr. LEWIS, Mr. NADLER, Ms. CLARKE of New York, 
Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. QUIGLEY, Ms. NORTON, and 
Mr. CLEAVER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Com-
mittee 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 
Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Executive Order 
12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Jus-
tice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Popu-
lations. 
Whereas February 11, 2014, marks the 20th anniversary of 
Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address En-
vironmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-In-
come Populations; 
Whereas environmental justice is defined as the ‘‘fair treat-
ment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless 
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•HRES 479 IH 
of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to 
the development, implementation, and enforcement of en-
vironmental laws, regulations, and policies’’; 
Whereas environmental justice means that all citizens should 
have the right and opportunity to participate in decisions 
and policymaking that affects their health; 
Whereas environmental justice is characterized by the pro-
motion of unprejudiced treatment of all cultures, socio-
economic statuses, and races, with respect to the ad-
vancement of environmental policies, regulations, and 
law; 
Whereas the environmental justice movement is an extension 
of the civil rights movement, and draws particular atten-
tion to the environmental health dangers affecting com-
munities, families, and individuals; 
Whereas environmental justice groups work to create public 
policy that is ethical, secure the strict enforcement of 
laws for environmental protection, and guarantee the 
right of all workers to a safe and healthy work environ-
ment; 
Whereas environmental justice communities fight to ensure 
the right to participate as equal partners at every level 
of decisionmaking, and promote the education of present 
and future generations to ensure the health of the nat-
ural world; 
Whereas community-based organizations and grassroots advo-
cates have distinguished themselves in the endeavor for 
civil rights, sometimes risking their health and sacrificing 
their lives to seek justice; 
Whereas the protest against the siting of a chemical landfill 
in Warren County, North Carolina, led by local commu-
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nity leaders and national civil rights groups, birthed the 
term ‘‘environmental racism’’ and brought national atten-
tion to the environmental justice movement; 
Whereas the First National People of Color Environmental 
Leadership Summit in 1991 drafted and adopted 17 en-
vironmental justice principles, which served as a defining 
document for the grassroots environmental justice move-
ment; 
Whereas the Congressional Black Caucus promoted the for-
mation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 
Environmental Equity Workgroup in 1992 to investigate 
concerns that minority and low-income populations were 
inadequately protected by the Nation’s environmental 
laws, leading to the creation of the EPA’s Office of Envi-
ronmental Justice in 1992; 
Whereas on February 11, 1994, President William J. Clinton 
declared that each Federal agency shall make achieving 
environmental justice part of its mission; 
Whereas the Executive order instructs each Federal agency 
to determine the injurious effects of its actions on minor-
ity and low-income communities, and devote attention to 
resolving these issues; 
Whereas the aim of the environmental justice Executive order 
is to increase access to public information and participa-
tion for minority and low-income populations, and en-
courage nondiscrimination in Federal programs that im-
pact the environment and human health; 
Whereas responsible environmental health policies and prac-
tices are critical to improving the lives of those who live 
in low-income communities and communities of color 
throughout the United States and the world; 
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