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programs and beach closing rules nationwide are up to the 

 task. 



Every sununer, I walk the beaches of New Jersey, and I 

 talk to the people I meet about their concerns. New 

 Jerseyans are worried about their beaches and worried about 

 the safety of the waters in which they and their children 

 swim. As you will hear later this afternoon. New Jersey has 

 a comprehensive, effective water testing program. New Jersey 

 does not flinch from its responsibilities to close beaches 

 when, as sometimes happens, it may be unsafe to swim. Some 

 states are not so forthcoming. Some states do not test 

 coastal waters well enough or frequently enough to ensure 

 that their visitors and residents are protected from 

 disease. I am proud to say that New Jersey has gone to great 

 lengths to ensure safety. 



Mr. Chairman, I think of this legislation in part as a 

 consumer information measure. As things now stand, each 

 state runs its water testing program in a different way. 

 Information on coastal water quality from the different 

 testing programs can be difficult to make sense of or 

 compare, even for specialists. This legislation, and the 

 companion measure introduced by Mr. Lautenberg and myself, 

 would ensure that testing programs in coastal areas 

 nationwide are similar. National testing guidelines and 

 national beach closure standards will make comparable 



