THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY COSTA AND HUGHES, APRIL 3, 2012

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 3, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing April 22, 2012, as "Earth Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, April 22, 2012, is the 42nd celebration of Earth

Day; and

WHEREAS, The concept of Earth Day was created to encourage

Americans to contemplate the damage being done to the Earth

through human actions; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that over 20 million people

participated in the first Earth Day; and

WHEREAS, From the beginning, Earth Day has achieved "a rare

political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and

Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and

labor leaders," according to Earth Day Network; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day has led to the creation of the United

States Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Water Act, the

Clean Air Act and the Federal Pesticides Act; and

WHEREAS, The first Earth Day in 1970 was a monumental moment

in the protection and care of the environment in the United

States, and this year's anniversary will be celebrated by over 1

billion people from around the globe; and

WHEREAS, The importance of being good stewards of the Earth

has become a nearly universally held belief among people of this

country and this Commonwealth, and protecting the environment is

a bipartisan concern that is good for our health, our economy

and the plants and animals that cohabit this planet; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution of Pennsylvania makes an important

declaration of Earth Day policies in section 27 of Article I:

"The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the

preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic

values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural

resources are the common property of all the people, including

generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the

Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of

all the people"; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day events and activities are designed to

promote consciousness and encourage environmentally aware

behaviors, such as recycling, using energy efficiently,

utilizing environmentally friendly products, reducing pollution

and reducing or reusing disposable items; and

WHEREAS, Dozens of events have been scheduled to observe

Earth Day in Pennsylvania, including a watershed cleanup in

Centre County and celebration events in Allegheny and Berks

Counties; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 22, 2012, as "Earth

Day" in Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens to observe

"Earth Day" by striving to clean up our environment and enjoy

the beauty of Penn's Woods wherever possible.