WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) issued a statement following President Biden’s executive order to further embed environmental justice into the work of federal agencies to achieve real, measurable progress that communities need.

“As a resident of the Southside of Tucson, I grew up and still live in a community with a painful history of water contamination and environmental injustice. Generations of us experienced TCE contamination knowing something was wrong with our water, but were unable to do anything about it. It’s an experience that is familiar for far too many communities across this nation and the lingering effects in Tucson are a constant reminder of why I got involved in politics.”

“Early in my career in the House of Representatives, I introduced legislation to address TCE contamination and improve groundwater management in Pima County as a starting point to ensure that communities of color, like the one I represent, wouldn’t continue to be considered a dumping ground for legacy polluters. My work has since culminated in the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act, the most comprehensive environmental justice bill in history developed through an inclusive, transparent, community-led, and community-driven process.”

“The Executive Order by President Biden is historic progress and reflects the years of work we’ve done to ensure communities impacted by pollution are being heard. It validates the lived experiences of communities facing environmental injustice every day. I commend the Biden administration for using this legislation as a template for their environmental justice agenda.”

“While today is cause for celebration, our fight continues. I will work closely with the Biden administration to implement this executive order and ensure that every environmental justice community is given the ability to protect their health, loved ones and livelihoods against legacy polluters. Moving forward, together with the Biden administration, we will pass the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act to permanently enshrine the polices laid out by President Biden into law.”

More information on the Biden administration’s executive order can be found here.