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Earth Day at Adirondack State Park, Saranac, New York

04/22/2002
Remarks of Governor Christine Todd Whitman,
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
at the
Adirondack State Park
Saranac, New York

April 22, 2002

Good afternoon. What a great way to spend Earth Day!

In January 1900, the first great environmentalist governor of New York--who later became the first great environmentalist president of the United States--wrote this in his Annual Message to the State Legislature: "The Adirondacks . . . should be great parks kept in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of our people."

The people of New York heeded the call of their governor, Theodore Roosevelt. For the past century, New Yorkers have been preserving and protecting millions of acres of Adirondack land. Places such as this beautiful park are the inspiring and happy result.

That is why it is fitting that we meet here on Earth Day 2002. The work begun by Teddy Roosevelt in this state more than one hundred years ago took root and spread all across America. But that work is not completed--indeed, it never can be. Stewardship of the environment is an obligation--and a blessing--that falls to each generation.

I am proud to be here with Governor Pataki and President Bush. They each hold offices previously held by T.R. and they are both worthy heirs of his legacy and of his leadership.

And so, I am pleased to present to you the Governor of New York, my friend, George Pataki.