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Statement of Senator Barack Obama on House Passage of the Great Lakes Compact

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Ortiz

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the House of Representatives' passage of the Great Lakes Compact. The Compact is an agreement between the eight lake-bordering states to protect the Great Lakes from water diversions and exports. Senator Obama is a cosponsor of the legislation introduced in the Senate.

"I applaud the House of Representatives' passage of the Great Lakes Compact today. The Great Lakes are one of the world's greatest natural treasures, as well as the principal source of drinking water for almost 30 million Americans in the region. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect the Lakes and preserve their water supply for future generations of Americans.

"This Compact is an historic agreement between the eight Great Lakes states to protect them from water diversions and exports, and it is essential for the environmental and economic health of the region.

"Now that Congress has acted, the President should sign this bill into law as soon as possible. I am committed to working to implement this Compact to protect America's truly Great Lakes."