Fighting for our Great Lakes

I’m excited to join a number of my congressional colleagues today to celebrate the value of protecting and conserving one of America’s greatest natural resources- our Great Lakes.

I have just started my second year serving Wisconsin in the US Senate and one of the real joys of moving from the House to the Senate is the opportunity to represent the entire state of Wisconsin. So over the last year, as I have traveled the state, I have developed a rich appreciation for Wisconsin’s proud tradition of making environmental protection and conservation a top priority for our country.

I take very seriously the responsibility to carry on this proud tradition. I also want you to know that your commitment to restoring and protecting our Great Lakes is a commitment I share. I have had the opportunity to visit Bayfield and Ashland, our ports in Superior and Green Bay, and see first-hand the exciting work by the Water Council in Milwaukee at the Global Water Center.

From Lake Superior to the Manitowoc Maritime Museum, to the fresh coast in Milwaukee, we know that our Great Lakes are a great asset for our quality of life but also for our long term economic security. We also know that the investments we make today will not only protect these valuable waters, but they will strengthen our environment and our economy.

Investments in clean waters and maintaining our harbors can help generate business development, support research opportunities related to water and technology, and drive industry both now and in the long-term.

That is why I fought for funds to support the health of the Great Lakes in the Water Resources Development Act that passed the Senate last year and is moving forward for passage in Congress in the coming months. It is why I have been a strong supporter of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

As you know well, there is a lot of work that remains to restore the Great Lakes to health. Investing in the restoration and protection our Great Lakes is a top priority of mine in the US Senate and I was proud to support the bipartisan appropriations bill that recently passed Congress to provide full funding for this important initiative.

Unfortunately, the Administration introduced a budget proposal this week that fell short of full funding. I know this is of concern to many of you and it is to me as well. So I am committed to working with my colleagues, including Senator’s Levin and Stabenow, in fighting for full funding as the process moves forward, so we can continue to make smart investments in this critical restoration initiative.

I look forward to continuing our work together to protect and preserve our Great Lakes for future generations. This is a shared responsibility and shared value. And it is a value I will continue to give voice to in the US Senate.

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Based on Senator Baldwin's remarks at the Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast.