Celebrating Earth Day

Dear Friends,

Today is a very special Earth Day for me. In January, I took the gavel as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. As chairman, I am laser-focused on improving the quality of our air and water, as well as safeguarding the bedrock environmental protections that keep drinking water safe and toxic chemicals out of our homes. My top priority is also finding common ground to combat the greatest challenge we face—the climate crisis.

I am hopeful today, just like I was more than 50 years ago when I gathered with thousands of people in Golden Gate State Park to celebrate our country’s first-ever Earth Day. Then, I was a young naval flight officer stationed at the former Moffett Field air station preparing for my first of three tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Now, I am a U.S. Senator with the honor of representing the First State and the task of enacting policies to protect our one and only planet. Just like that day so many years ago, there is a rallying cry from so many Americans today who know there is no “Planet B.” That is why I am focused on making sure we meet this moment.

Here are just a few things I’ve been working on:

• Passing the first infrastructure bill this Congress to help make clean drinking water a reality for all Americans
• Introducing legislation to spur investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure
•  Getting a bill passed and signed into law that tackles the serious public health impacts associated with air pollution during this pandemic

I hope you will join me by doing something to make your community a better place this Earth Day. We may not be able to get together for a community clean-up, but we can all do our part to keep our neighborhoods clean and beautiful. This Saturday at 3 p.m., I also invite you to tune in to a special virtual musical performance by our very own University of Delaware’s Master Players celebrating Earth Day. I am proud to take part in this family-friendly performance, along with faculty, alumni, Xiang Gao, the Master Players founding director, and Andrea Razdan, a proud member of the Navajo Nation who will share stories about our planet from a Native American perspective. To learn more and sign up for the event, go to https://www.masterplayers.udel.edu/events/imusic-13.

In the meantime, I will continue working across the aisle with my colleagues to address these great challenges for our nation—and our planet, and I look forward to hearing from you on ways you are doing your part this Earth Day. Send me a message, and stay informed on the work we are doing in Washington.

Sincerely,

Tom Carper