Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

RE: Support the "Public Health and Environmental Equity Act" (S. Res. 261)

Dear Senator ,

I am very disturbed that some members of Congress are using the recent disasters as an excuse to weaken health, environmental and public safety laws. Further endangering hurricane victims to advance corporate interests by waiving or weakening these vital safeguards is irresponsible, unacceptable and an insult to all Americans. I strongly urge you to stand up against this unfortunate development by cosponsoring the "Public Health and Environmental Equity Act" (S. Res. 261).

Like all Americans, I hope to see the Gulf region recover from the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as quickly as possible. As part of this effort, people in the affected areas need to be guaranteed that their communities are safe places for them and their families.

Unfortunately, one bill already introduced would allow the President to waive any law - including any environmental law in the country - for up to two years. Another would allow EPA to waive any law it is responsible for enforcing. These proposals would expose tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents to polluted water and dangerous wastes, against which they would otherwise be protected.

Yet another bill would weaken environmental standards for permitting new oil refineries and lower clean air standards. There is even a proposal to remove Clean Water Act and NEPA oversight of Corps of Engineers' flood control and navigation projects in Louisiana - a proposal that the performance of the levees in the recent hurricanes makes unthinkable.

Please oppose these unnecessary and dangerous proposals and cosponsor the Public Health and Environmental Equity Act, which would put Congress on record in support of protecting the health and safety of Gulf residents (and all Americans) by maintaining our health and environmental laws. And please speak out loudly and persistently regarding this crucial matter.

Please take immediate action to correct these disastrous inequities. I will join many millions of Americans in closely following the actions of our government in the coming months in dealing with these life and death issues.