Durbin Commemorates 10th Anniversary Of Water For The World Act With Speech On Senate Floor
The legislation, in conjunction with the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act, has provide-first time, sustainable access to clean water to more than 76 million people
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor commemorating the ten-year anniversary of the passage of his Paul Simon Water for the World Act, which improved access to clean water and sanitation around the world. As a result of the legislation and its preceding legislation, the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005, American leadership has provided first-time, sustainable access to clean water to more than 76 million people and access to sanitation to 58 million.
Durbin began his floor speech by honoring his predecessor, the late Paul Simon, for his efforts to improve access to clean water.
“Some in this Chamber… may remember my predecessor, Paul Simon of Illinois. Simon was ahead of his time on so many issues, including the importance of clean drinking water and sanitation for the poorest people in the world,” Durbin began. “Paul Simon realized that focusing on providing clean drinking water in some of the poorest places in the world can be transformative. He understood that to avoid conflict between nations, to keep girls in school and reduce infant mortality, to improve health and economic opportunity, you have to provide people with access to clean water.”
Durbin carried on Senator Simon’s legacy by introducing the Paul Simon Water for the World Act with the bipartisan support of his partners, former Representative Earl Blumenauer and former Senator Bob Corker.
“Ten years ago, the legislation passed the Senate unanimously, something that’s almost unimaginable today with the politics we live with, but that underscored the true urgency and importance of this issue,” Durbin said. “Not only was this legislation the right thing to do, but it made access to clean water and sanitation for the world’s poor a development priority for the United States.”
Durbin spoke about the impact of the legislation, recalling a trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he spoke with a clinic administrator about improving clean water access. He also highlighted work visited by his staff to a number of countries in Africa where such sustainable efforts have also had a meaningful impact.
Durbin concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Congress must continue Senator Simon’s work by ensuring global access to clean water.
“But this life-saving work is far from done. As the climate crisis worsens and industrial needs increase, ensuring global access to clean water supply is as important as ever,” Durbin said.
“Around two billion people on this planet Earth still lack access to safe drinking water. So I hope this historically important, bipartisan investment will continue in the future ahead of us. Lives depend on it,” Durbin concluded his remarks.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
-30-