Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of April of each year as Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice Month.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 846 Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of April of each year as Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice Month. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 11, 2020 Mr. RUSH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Com- mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Urging the people of the United States to observe the month of April of each year as Hazel M. Johnson Environ- mental Justice Month. Whereas the Environmental Protection Agency defines envi- ronmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, na- tional origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies; Whereas fair treatment suggests that communities should not endure an inordinate amount of adverse environmental consequences related to commercial, industrial, or govern- mental policies; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:02 Feb 11, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR846.IH HR846 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 846 IH Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urges that environmental injustice, in- cluding the proliferation of climate change, has a dis- proportionate impact on communities of color and low-in- come communities in the United States; Whereas Hazel M. Johnson, widely regarded as the mother of the environmental justice movement, fought for envi- ronmental justice in Chicago beginning in the 1970s; Whereas, in 1979, Johnson founded People for Community Recovery, a grassroots organization focused on empow- ering communities to fight against environmental racism and injustice; Whereas Johnson lived in Altgeld Gardens, a Chicago Hous- ing Authority public housing project that was exposed to sources of environmental hazards, including from indus- trial factories, sewage treatment facilities, asbestos, and lead; Whereas Johnson investigated the effects of environmental hazards at Altgeld Gardens by engaging governmental bodies and documenting chronic health issues after her husband died of lung cancer and their children contracted respiratory and skin conditions; Whereas Johnson, through her investigations, uncovered that Altgeld Gardens was built on high concentrations of haz- ardous waste that contributed to chronic health burdens, drinking water contamination, and air pollution; Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery in- formed residents of Altgeld Gardens of their right to pro- tection from environmental and health hazards through workshops, trainings, rallies, and youth programs; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:02 Feb 11, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR846.IH HR846 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 846 IH Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery held both businesses and governments accountable for neg- ligent waste disposal and pollution practices by engaging in protests, hearings, petitions, and lobbying government officials; Whereas Johnson and People for Community Recovery not only benefitted South Side Chicago communities, but also led national conversations to improve the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all communities seeking equal protection from hazards; Whereas Johnson testified before the United States Congress regarding the need for public-private partnerships to sup- port environmental justice initiatives, which resulted in the formalization of a Federal interagency working group to address concerns; and Whereas Johnson, through vigilance and activism, gave low- income and minority communities a voice in the fight against environmental racism and injustice: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the designation of Hazel M. John- 2 son Environmental Justice Month; 3 (2) honors the work of Hazel M. Johnson and 4 other environmental justice advocates; and 5 (3) calls upon the people of the United States 6 to observe Hazel M. Johnson Environmental Justice 7 Month. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:02 Feb 11, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR846.IH HR846 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS