Husted highlights importance of Great Lakes, introduces Ohioans to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

“I firmly believe that the Great Lakes fishing industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to our regional economy.” View Husted’s remarks here . WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced Ohioans appearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee as witnesses during a hearing on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. During the hearing, Husted also highlighted his legislation that was recently signed into law, the Great Lakes Fishery Reauthorization Act , which reauthorizes a critical program that provides dedicated funding for research supporting the multi-billion-dollar commercial fishing industry throughout the Great Lakes region. More than 1.5 million American jobs are directly connected to the Great  Lakes , generating $62 billion in annual wages. As the only member of the committee representing a Great Lakes state, Husted is working to advance policies that strengthen the region’s economy, protect natural resources and support communities that rely on the lakes. Husted introduced the following Ohioans: Mary Mertz, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Christopher Winslow, PhD, Director, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Ohio State University Key excerpts include: “It’s great to be here with several Ohioans today. And I appreciate you holding the hearing on the Great Lakes. It means a lot to the residents of the Great Lakes states, and certainly to Ohio, and to me personally.” . . . “I look forward to the discussion about how Congress can continue to protect the Great Lakes and talk about how a successful public, partnership, with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative can be undertaken.” . . . “Director Mertz previously chaired the Great Lakes Commission, a binational body that coordinated restoration policy, making her an expert on the Great Lakes and what restoration, implementation actually means. “I also would like to thank Dr. Winslow for testifying today. Dr. Winslow directs the Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory at the Ohio State University, which has been studying the lake for over 150 years.” . . . “The Great Lakes are an environmental and economic asset for the United States and Canada. “The lakes fuel a $6 trillion regional economy and hold 90% of the U.S. supply of surface fresh water and provide drinking water to more than 40 million people.” . . . “I also led the Great Lakes Fishery Reauthorization Act, which was signed into law by President Trump in December of last year. “Thank you, Chairman, and all the members, for supporting that. “Healthy fisheries mean healthy ecosystems, and healthy ecosystems mean healthy economies. “I firmly believe that the Great Lakes fishing industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to our regional economy.” . . . “I’ll reiterate that we must stay vigilant against invasive species, which pose a constant and serious threat to Great Lakes ecosystem.” . . . “That’s why the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is important, and why it should be. “I will continue to fight for its reauthorization. “And it remains an important federal commitment to the Great Lakes.” The full text of the Great Lakes Fishery Reauthorization Act is available here .