H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL 22, 2000 TO BE "EARTH DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND THE MONTH OF APRIL AS RHODE ISLAND "EARTH MONTH"
WHEREAS, Earth Day began in 1970 as a long-term endeavor to awaken all people to work together to save our planet, and to develop sustainable practices that protect our health and welfare and insure lasting prosperity; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day will reach beyond existing environmental constituencies to involve the broadest cross section of society including business, media, religious, political, youth, academic and cultural organizations; and
WHEREAS, State and local governments currently participate in numerous recycling, energy conservation, water conservation and hazardous waste programs that depend on widespread understanding and participation in order to be successful; and
WHEREAS, We recognize it is time for everyone to increase their general respect for all our natural resources, to increase their understanding of the importance for participating in solving our environmental and natural resource needs; and
WHEREAS, In the course of a very short history - 30 years - we have made tremendous progress; we no longer have rivers catching on fire, our skies are cleaner and our environmental expertise and technology are in demand throughout the world to prevent pollution and sustain natural resources, but much remains to be done; and
WHEREAS, We must maintain the progress we have made, and we must build on that progress to improve the prosperity and health of our community, our air, our water and our land; and
WHEREAS, We recognize the need for quality science and technology in all that we do; and the University of Rhode Island, with its land and sea grant system and Coastal Partnership is the base for our knowledge; and that research, education and extension will transfer better solutions ensuring conservation and sustainability of our natural resources; and
WHEREAS, We need every person to help ensure strong public health and environmental protections, not as matter of choice but as a necessity; we breathe the same air, drink the same water and work and play in the same environment; and that is why, on this 30th anniversary of Earth Day, we remind parents and children, communities and companies that "the Earth is in your hands"; and
WHEREAS, Earth is a small planet; the third planet from the sun and the fifth largest in our solar system; Earth is young, merely 4.5 to 4.6 billion years old; and its name derives from old English and Germanic languages; and
WHEREAS, We see the beauty of our planet and our people; Earth is a planet carved by wind and the fall of water, lush with living things beyond number, perfumed by salt spray and blossoms; and
WHEREAS, Over 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered with water; additional water is in our atmosphere and soils, making our biosphere over 90 percent water; we realize that water is essential to life; and further, the presence of free oxygen is quite remarkable on Earth; oxygen is produced and maintained by biological processes - without life there would be no free oxygen; and Earth's variety of living forms excites the senses and exalts the soul; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day is a commitment to make life better, to provide real solutions, and recognizes that life is a fascinating, flamboyant, rambunctious, gregarious form of matter, qualitatively different from rocks, gas and dust, yet made of the same stuff, the same humdrum elements lying around everywhere in the solar system; and
WHEREAS, We stand at the dawn of a new century; and we recognize the enormous potential that a clean, healthy, prosperous and sustainable planet Earth holds for improving the quality of life in Rhode Island and around Earth; and everyday should be "Earth Day"; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day 2000 keeps the original spirit of Earth Day alive, giving individuals the resources they need to make the vision of a cleaner, healthier planet for the 21st century a reality; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island House of Representatives, by virtue of its authority vested in the Constitution and laws of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, does hereby proclaim April 22, 2000 to be "Earth Day" and April as Rhode Island "Earth Month" and calls upon the people of the state of Rhode Island to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.