Alliance for the Great Lakes
For Immediate Release
Friday, Aug. 1, 2008
Contact: Cameron Davis
312-375-2004; cdavis@greatlakes.org
Alliance for the Great Lakes Praises Senate Approval of Compact
The U.S. Senate today approved the Great Lakes Compact by “unanimous consent,” clearing the way for the U.S. House to do the same.
“That Congress is moving so quickly on these historic water conservation standards is a sign that our nation’s leaders see the Great Lakes as important to more than simply those of us fortunate enough to live, work and play in the region,” said Alliance President Cameron Davis, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. “They know the Great Lakes are a national icon.”
With the Senate’s action on S. J. Res. 45 complete, and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s approval of the Compact on Wednesday, the only body left to approve the measure is the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The Alliance was appointed by the Great Lakes governors in 2001 to help advise on the compact drafting process and aided in the compact’s passage in each of the eight Great Lakes states from February 2007 through July 2008, when Michigan’s Gov. Jennifer Granholm became the final governor to sign the compact into law.
Davis was singled out at Wednesday’s judiciary committee hearing by Chairman Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) for his moving testimony on behalf of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition – which represents more than 100 environmental groups in the region.
A printed copy of his testimony is online at www.greatlakes.org. A video of the hearing can be viewed online at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s website (RealPlayer software is needed) at: http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=3515. For a high-resolution photo of Davis at the proceedings, contact Susan Campbell at: scampbell@greatlakes.org
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Formed in 1970, the Alliance for the Great Lakes (formerly the Lake Michigan Federation) is the oldest independent citizens' organization in North America. Its mission is to conserve and restore the world's largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife. More about the Alliance for the Great Lakes is online at www.greatlakes.org
Susan Campbell
Communications Manager
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Visit http://www.greatlakes.org