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50th Anniversary of Everglades National Park Everglades City, Florida
12/06/1997| Carol M. Browner, Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Remarks Prepared for Delivery 50th Anniversary of Everglades National Park Everglades City, Florida December 6, 1997 Thank you, Director Stanton. And congratulations to the National Park Service on the 50th Anniversary of this crown jewel of our national park system. This is a day that every American can take pride in -- a day on which we pay tribute to those who, a half-century ago, had the vision and the wisdom to act on behalf of future generations. We are here to rededicate the Everglades National Park in their honor. But let us also rededicate ourselves to the task of restoring the Everglades -- to making its heart pulse with water once again -- and to protecting it for our children and their children to come. Because the Everglades need our help -- now more than ever. We have learned an unfortunate lesson -- that declaring a national park has not been enough to save this precious natural area from wasting away. We must do more. Again, we are called upon to act -- to do what has to be done to save the Everglades, which are so vitally important to the quality of life in South Florida. No area in the country more clearly demonstrates the linkage that exists between our environment and our economic future. No area more clearly defines the challenge of safeguarding our natural heritage. Today, Vice President Gore will announce the most significant and far-reaching rescue effort ever undertaken on behalf of the Everglades. It is a great day for this country -- a great day for South Florida. And it fills my heart with pride and hope for the future. The Everglades is a special place for me. When I was growing up, the Everglades were my backyard. We lived on what was then the very far reaches of westward development in Dade County -- 71st Avenue Southwest. And one of the greatest days of my life was the day that this administration -- which I have the honor and privilege of serving -- made the restoration of this precious natural area, for the first time ever, a top national priority. Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for your passionate leadership and your commitment to restore this unique natural treasure that we hold so dear. Thank you for your efforts to help preserve the quality of life in our region. And thank you for your devotion to fulfilling the promise of an Everglades that will be protected for "all of the people for all time." And now, I am delighted to introduce to you a tireless and dedicated public servant -- someone who has represented the people of his South Florida district in Congress for the past 17 years -- the chairman of Florida's congressional delegation -- the Honorable Clay Shaw. |
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