On Saturday New York Rep. Louise Slaughter, was honored with a Great Laker Award for her dedication to restoration. It can be argued that Rep. Slaughter put the “woman” in Congresswoman with her eleven terms of service and dedication to women’s issues. But that isn’t all the Represenative has committed to in her service, in addition, she has tirelessly served Western New York and is greatly concerned with the region’s economic situation. She believes that approving the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would be a giant leap in the direction of economic recovery – not just for Western New York but for the entire region. She recognizes that healthy lakes equal a healthy economy and as co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, Slaughter promises to continue to fight for legislation that will repair and improve the Great Lakes. Read for yourself from the Congresswoman’s own words that she shared with us in this question and answer session with the Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Q: Why are the Great Lakes important to you?

A: The Great Lakes are a national and regional treasure that contains nearly 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater and 95 percent of the U.S fresh surface water.  The health of the lakes is vital to the 34 million U.S. and Canadian citizens who make their homes and earn their livelihood in the surrounding areas.  The Great Lakes are one of the country’s greatest fish and wildlife habitats and most important sources of drinking water.  In my own district in Western New York, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and its connecting channels are critical to our economic health, and serve as an essential role in transportation, trade and recreation.  And of course, they’re simply beautiful and majestic. 

Q: How have the Great Lakes played a role in your Congressional service?

A: The Great Lakes have certainly played a large role in my Congressional service.  For over 20 years I have represented a district that boarders Lake Ontario, and since 2002 my district has included the large stretch of Great Lakes coastline from Rochester to Buffalo that includes both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.  As I mentioned above, these waters are critical to the economic health of my district, and therefore one of my priorities in Congress has always been to restore and protect the Great Lakes.  It is this commitment to the Lakes that drove my decision to become a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force.  Through this Task Force, my fellow co-chairs and I have worked as a united voice to protect the well being of Great Lakes region, and to push forward legislation that best serves the environmental and economic health of the Great Lakes. 

Q: You cosponsored the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act – what is the status of this legislation?

A: This legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Committees on Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and House Administration.  While I do not sit on any of these Committees, I will do all I can to see that it moves forward. 

Q: Can you discuss the economic impact that the passage of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would bring to the region?

A: This bill’s passage would have an incredible economic impact on the region.  The Brookings Report announced earlier this year that if fully implemented, the initiatives laid out by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy, most of which are incorporated in the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, would produce a direct economic benefit of at least $50 billion, including $6.5 – $11.8 billion from tourism, fishing and recreation, and $12 – 19 billion from increased commercial and residential property values.  There are few investments that give you a greater return than an investment in the Great Lakes.

Q:How do we get the Great Lakes restoration efforts onto the Democratic presidential candidates’ agendas?

A: With so many problems facing this nation at home and abroad, issues like these can often get lost in the shuffle. I think that due to the fact that Great Lakes are one of the nation’s most important environmental resources, and the fact that millions of Americans depend on them every day, it will soon become important to voters and candidates alike.  Right now, it is important that those in the Great Lake communities do what they can to make sure the Presidential candidates are aware of the issues and take the right stand.  It is also important that we in Congress continue to push Great Lakes issues to the front of the legislative agenda.  By making these issues priorities, we can ensure that they get the attention that they deserve. 

Q: Would you mind sharing a favorite memory from the Lakes?

A: I have so many fond memories of the Great Lakes that I am simply unable to think of any one favorite.  I must mention, however, the time I have spent in Wilson on Lake Ontario, viewing the sunset over the lake.  It was absolutely gorgeous, and made me think of how blessed some people are to have their homes on the Great Lakes and to be able to experience that every day. 

Related posts:

• Congresswoman Slaughter Receives Great Laker Award
• Bipartisan Group Led by Reps. Sander Levin, John Dingell and Louise Slaughter Urge House Appropriators to Support Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
• Republican Candidates Strike Out Looking on Great Lakes in Debate
• Governors to Presidential Candidates: Support Great Lakes Restoration
• Governor Doyle: Great Lakes Need To Be A Priority For Congress and The President