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meaningful mission statement for the new department. But surely we can agree 

 that protecting the environment is among the highest purposes for which govern- 

 ment is constituted. I very strongly believe that the legislation you send to the 

 Senate should call the new agency the "Department of Environmental Protection", 

 not just the "Department of the Environment." 



Twenty years ago we undertook a new and difficult challenge as a nation. We saw 

 that life and its most enriching experiences can only be sustained by careful stew- 

 ardship of our natural environment. We turned to government, principally through 

 the laws now administered by EPA, to protect our common interest in the quality of 

 our air, waters and lands. 



These laws have been effective. The quality of our air and water has improved. 

 Public lands and threatened wildlife resources are being restored. Untold damage 

 has been avoided. Compared to other, recent Federal efforts ... for instance, the 

 budget process or the war on drugs or energy policy, our laws and programs to pro- 

 tect the environment have been a real success. 



Twenty years ago, environmental protection as a purpose of the Federal Govern- 

 ment may have been a radical idea. Today, it's an accomplished fact. It is time to 

 recognize the reality by creating the Department of Environmental Protection. 



Chairman Glenn. Thank you very much, and thank you all. We 

 appreciate your testimony this morning. 



Thank you. 



As I indicated before, Mike Synar, Representative Synar, had 

 hoped to be here this morning. His statement will be included in 

 the record also. He was unable to be with us this morning because 

 of a conflict. 



Senator Roth. Mr. Chairman, could I just thank this distin- 

 guished panel for being here, and I would like to say to Senator 

 Durenberger and Senator Chafee, I think Senator Durenberger was 

 the first to introduce a bill proposing raising the EPA to Cabinet 

 status, but I strongly agree that the best chance we have of getting 

 this legislation enacted is a clean bill. I appreciate their cosponsor- 

 ing my legislation. 



Senator Durenberger. Thank you. 



Chairman Glenn. Thank you. 



Our next witness this morning is the Hon. Carol Browner, re- 

 cently installed Administrator of the Environmental Protection 

 Agency. 



Ms. Browner, we welcome you to the table this morning and look 

 forward to your testimony. 



TESTIMONY OF HON. CAROL M. BROWNER, ^ ADMINISTRATOR, 

 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 



Ms. Browner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the 

 Committee. 



I am honored to testify before you today in support of creating a 

 Cabinet department on the environment and to confirm this Ad- 

 ministration's commitment to improving environmental quality. I 

 want to commend the leadership of this Committee, and particular- 

 ly the Chairman and Senator Roth, who have demonstrated in pur- 

 suing this matter over the years. 



We all share a strong commitment to the environment. However, 

 without an adequate institutional framework, even principled com- 

 mitment can be rendered abstract. The question is not whether to 

 create a Department on the Environment, but when. 



' The prepared statement of Ms. Browner appears on page 94. 



