Emanuel Underscores Commitment to Restoring Great Lakes

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, as members of the Great Lakes Coalition descend on Washington for their annual Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast, hosted by the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Great Lakes Commission, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), restores his commitment to the leaders of the Great Lakes community and pledges continued commitment to restore and preserve the Great Lakes.

            “The Great Lakes are healthier than they were 30 years ago, but their waters are still polluted and they are not getting any cleaner,” said Emanuel. “In December we made some progress in cleaning up the Great Lakes with the completion of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration’s strategy document,” said Emanuel.  “Now it’s Congress’ job to implement those findings.”

            In 2003, Emanuel became a leader in the effort to restore and protect the Great Lakes when he introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Fund, a bipartisan bill to provide $4 billion in federal funds for Great Lakes’ restoration and revitalization.  The Great Lakes Restoration Fund received bipartisan support in the Senate, the support of one hundred and six members of the U.S. House of Representatives, all eight governors of Great Lakes States, and more than forty mayors of lakefront communities. Emanuel reintroduced this legislation in 109th Congress and fifty-three members of the House of Representatives have signed on to this bipartisan effort. Emanuel has a history of supporting efforts to improve the health of the Great Lakes including support for the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act, Great Lakes Legacy Act and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.