Volume 143, No. 58 covering the 1st Session of the 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO LARRY SMITH” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E863 on May 7, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO LARRY SMITH
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HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 7, 1997
Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Mr. Larry Smith. On May 8, 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Law Institute chose Mr. Smith as winner of the 1997 National Wetlands Award. The award honors individual citizens who have dedicated their lives to preserving wetlands through programs and projects at the regional, State, and local level.
For years, Mr. Smith has been a leader and a pioneer of the environmental movement in Memphis. His work to protect wetlands and prevent toxic pollution has benefited every Memphian. He has made a critical difference in saving the wetlands along the Wolf River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, which snakes through southwestern Tennessee and through my congressional district. This river is important, not only for its scenic beauty, but because it's surrounding wetlands recharge the underground aquifers which have provided the pristine drinking water the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County have enjoyed for decades.
Mr. Smith has shown great skill as a grassroots organizer and educator of the public about the importance of protecting our environment. He has marshaled citizen concern about environmental issues, which has spurred our public officials to act to protect the environment.
I know how committed Mr. Smith is to the environment, because I have worked closely with him to develop and introduce legislation that will protect the public from toxic wastes. On January 27, 1997, an explosion at a hazardous waste facility in Memphis exposed the citizens of the neighborhood to a cloud of toxic chemicals and polluted a nearby creek. Thankfully, no one was injured, but at least two highly toxic chemicals, toluene and xylene were released into the environment. With the experience and expertise of Mr. Smith, I introduced H.R. 843, the Common Sense Toxics Buffer Zone Act, a bill which would require a 5,000 foot buffer zone between any residential community, school, day care, or church and the expansion or construction of a hazardous waste facility.
Mr. Smith stands as an example for all of us to follow. He is a steadfast soldier in the fight for clean water, clean air and the heritage of our national wilderness. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Smith for receiving this prestigious award.
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