Rangel Celebrates Earth Day
Statement
Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in recognition of Earth Day.
"As we celebrate the 56th Anniversary of Earth Day, we recommit to being caretakers of our beautiful planet. The future of the world depends on our collective efforts to invest in clean energy, decrease harmful emissions and encourage sustainable living habits. Earth Day calls for us all to roll up our sleeves and protect our environment through stewardship, conservation, and preservation. I stand behind unsung heroes who work day after day to continue the movement for eco-friendly solutions around the world.
This year's Earth Day is especially important because it also marks the historic signage of the Paris Climate Agreement. The United States will join over 165 other countries' firm commitment to combating climate change. My Democratic colleagues in Congress and I have signed a letter to President Obama, thanking him for his hard work and dedication to this issue. Switching to clean energy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and toxic buildup in our air and water. This is not a partisan issue, it is a human issue. This is simply a matter of protecting our Nation's most valued treasures. We must build upon our international agreement on climate change and continue the fight for environmental justice in our own backyard.
Although we have made progress, we still have plenty of environmental challenges to address. I will continue to advocate for our planet by cosponsoring bills like the Water for the World Act, which strengthens funding for vital water and sanitation programs for communities in desperate need of assistance. When we pollute our planet, not only do we destroy the environment, we elevate the risk of public health disasters. It is our duty to protect and preserve our planet so our children and grandchildren can also celebrate Earth Day and enjoy its beauty. The prosperity of our communities, nation and planet depend upon it."
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