Clinton Pushes Toxic Site Clean-up

COMSTOCK, Mich. (AllPolitics, Aug. 28) -- President Bill Clinton, wrapping up a four-day Midwestern campaign trip, called today for greater efforts to clean up toxic waste sites and protect the environment. (294K WAV sound)

Clinton used the rushing Kalamazoo River as a scenic backdrop to tout his administration's environmental record, but said more needs to be done in the next four years.

"We are proving you don't have to choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy," Clinton said. "But we have more to do...You know a lot of these battles are won block by block, day by day. This is hard work and we have more to do." (338K WAV sound)

White House aides unveiled a $1.9 billion environmental package that includes $1.3 billion for cleaning two-thirds of all Superfund toxic sites by 2000, $300 million for polluted central city sites, $196 million to post more pollution data on the Internet and $76 million to help clean up the Great Lakes region.

Clinton said his goal for the year 2000 is that no child will live near a toxic waste dump, no parent will have to worry about the quality of their family's drinking water "and no neighborhood should be put in harm's way by pollution from a nearby factory." (224K WAV sound)

"We cannot slow down," Clinton told the crowd. "We need to speed up the pace. These Superfund sites have been out there too long and the longer they're there, the more danger there is that damage will be done."

It was the third and final theme day of Clinton's "21st Century Express" train trip, following his messages on crime prevention and literacy earlier in the week.

Clinton used the Comstock stop to brag as well about his administration's environmental track record and get in a few licks at congressional Republicans.

"We are moving in the right direction," he said. "We saved our national parks from an ill-advised congressional attempt to sell off some of them and under-fund them, and that was a good thing." (202K WAV sound)

Clinton said his administration also has removed dangerous chemicals from the marketplace and replaced them with safer substitutes; strengthened community right-to-know laws; and supported efforts to develop more fuel-efficient cars that will help the environment and maintain the auto industry's position in the world economy.

While Clinton said he has emphasized results over punishment when it comes to polluters, he also called for tougher "environmental crimes" legislation to allow prosecutors to seize the assets of polluters and require them to clean up the messes they create. (198K WAV sound)

Clinton was scheduled to fly to Chicago later in the day, where Thursday night he will accept his party's nomination for a second term.

Clinton Pushes Toxic Site Clean-up

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