Washington, DC
February 21, 1997
Dear Rachel Binah & Members of the Environmental Caucus:
Thank you for sharing your concerns about the environment.
As we prepare to meet the challenges of the next century. protecting the environment remains one of our most vital missions. My Administration is working hard for changes that Americans want and need -- real changes that will preserve and restore our environment, foster sustainable economic growth, and guarantee a healthy world for future generations. We have forged partnerships between industry, government and environmentalists, bringing people together to solve issues that were previously a source of gridlock and working to meet the needs of the present without jeopardizing our future. In addition, we have consistently resisted congressional attempts to roll back twenty-five years of environmental protections.
My Administration has expanded right-to-know programs that require industry to provide public information about toxic releases; we have acted to reduce air pollution from factories and dioxin emissions from incinerators; and we have phased out dozens of hazardous pesticides. In addition, we have strengthened protection for Yellowstone and other national parks, developed a comprehensive program to restore the Florida Everglades, and improved programs that protect our natural resources and biodiversity.
Building on these accomplishments, I signed the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure clean, healthy water for all Americans, and I have announced a new national commitment to protect communities from toxic pollution by the year 2000. This effort will accelerate and expand the Superfund program, increase penalties on criminal polluters, and better protect our families and natural heritage. Moreover, I was proud to designate the new Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, preserving this precious area so that we and our children can enjoy its natural wonder for years to come.
Environmental protection the health and safety of all American is one of my Administration's highest priorities. I am confident that our initiatives will help our nation meet the many environmental challenges we face. Together, we can ensure that the world we leave to future generations holds the same promise and opportunity as the one we inherited.
Sincerely,
