Bill Text: MS SC673 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Designate April 22, 2016, as "Mississippi Earth Day 2016: Trees for the Earth."
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-3)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-20 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC673 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SC673-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Barnett, Blackwell, Browning, Chassaniol, Dearing, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 673
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 46TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY AND DESIGNATING APRIL 22, 2016, AS "MISSISSIPPI EARTH DAY 2016: TREES FOR THE EARTH" AND URGING ALL STATE AGENCIES AND CITIZENS TO BE STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS, many congregations in Mississippi celebrate Earth Day to praise the beauty of God's creation by focusing on a particular environmental issue and in answering God's gift of everyone to be faithful stewards of creation; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2016, the global Earth Day celebrations will mark their 46th Anniversary along with the Earth Day Network, the nonprofit organization that grew out of the original Earth Day in 1970. Just as the annual celebration has grown exponentially to now include over a billion participants, so has the organization dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and connecting supporters through its international network; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2016, more than one billion people around the world will take part in the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day. From Beijing to Cairo, Melbourne to London, Madrid to Johannesburg, Rio to New York, communities everywhere will voice their concerns for the planet, and take action to help protect it. In the face of unprecedented occurrences of extreme weather, loss of species and pollution, it is more important than ever that communities do their part to help protect the planet; and
WHEREAS, over the next five years as Earth Day moves closer to its 50th Anniversary, the Earth Day Network is calling on citizens to help achieve one of its most ambitious goals yet, planting 7.8 billion trees. Trees will be the first of five major goals undertaken in honor of the five-year countdown to their 50th Anniversary. On their own and together, these initiatives will make a significant and measurable impact on the Earth and will serve as the foundation of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for all:
· Trees absorb excess and harmful CO2 from our atmosphere. In fact, in a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles;
· Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark;
· Trees help communities achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability and provide food, energy and income;
· Plant a tree; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day is observed on April 22 and was started in the United States in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson to create awareness for the earth's environment and to encourage conservation efforts. In 1990, Earth Day became international, and today, more than 500 million people in 175 countries observe Earth Day; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day 46 is a pivotal opportunity for people, corporations and governments to join together to create a global green economy. Our coordinated efforts now will be recognized by future generations as a turning point; and
WHEREAS, to reach this goal to build a cleaner, smarter and safer energy future, and meet and overcome the most urgent challenge facing us, all Americans and Mississippians must make different, better decisions about the energy used at home, at work and as a nation and state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate April 22, 2016, as "Mississippi Earth Day 2016: Trees for the Earth" and urge all state agencies and citizens to be stewards of the environment and to focus on this critical national issue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be disseminated by the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Board of Health by appropriate public service advertisements and shall be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
