THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY COSTA, KITCHEN, STACK, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, DINNIMAN, MUSTO, FARNESE, O'PAKE, GREENLEAF, HUGHES, VANCE, McILHINNEY, FERLO, FONTANA, LOGAN AND BOSCOLA, APRIL 21, 2010

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 21, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 40th annual celebration of Earth Day, which will

be on April 22, 2010.

WHEREAS, April 22, 2010, is the 40th celebration of Earth

Day; and

WHEREAS, The concept of Earth Day was to encourage Americans

to contemplate the damage being done to the earth through

pollution, and it is estimated that over 20 million people

participated in the first Earth Day; and

WHEREAS, The importance of being good stewards of the earth

has become a nearly universally held belief among the people of

this country and this Commonwealth, and this stewardship

produces an environment that is good for our health, our economy

and the plants and animals that inhabit the planet with us; and

WHEREAS, The first Earth Day in 1970 was a celebration and

recognition of a watershed moment in the protection and care of

the environment in the United States, but on its 40th

anniversary Earth Day will be celebrated in over 190 countries

throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution of Pennsylvania is an important

declaration of Earth Day policies as it states "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

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 cleanup of North Park in

Allegheny County; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage all citizens to observe

the 40th annual celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2010; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That the Senate urge Pennsylvanians, when possible,

to strive to clean up our environment and enjoy the beauty of

Penn's Woods.