US Congresswomen go kayaking to mark 50-year turnaround of Rouge river

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib went kayaking on the Rouge River on October 8 along with another Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, to mark 50 years of cleanup progress since Rouge River fire. Rashida Tlaib posted a video on her social media accounts in which she said that they are going to learn about how to keep waterways clean. Tlaib also said that they hope to continue their fight for federal funding to ensure the enforcement of work that is needed to keep waterways clean.

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Pushing for sufficient federal funding

“Rep. Debbie Dingell and I went kayaking on #RougeRiver this morning to see why it's important to fight for the #EnvironmentalJustice #13thDistrictStrong and our country deserve, starting with the federal funding and enforcement to ensure our waterways get and stay clean,” Tlaib wrote on Facebook along with the video. “I can't wait to see and learn a lot with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. I just hope she stays out of my way,” she concluded.

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Fire of 1969

In 1969, Rouge River, that runs through Detroit’s industrial southwest side, witnessed a massive fire due to pollution in the form of floating oil and oil-soaked debris which made the waterways inaccessible. Debbie Dingell, the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 12th congressional district, said that they are serious about cleaning up the water.

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Congresswoman criticises Trump

Dingell also criticised US President Donald Trump for ‘undermining the decades of progress in front of cleaning up the river. “The Rouge River fire was a turning point in our nation. Our leaders rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to pass legislation to reverse decades of contamination,” tweeted Dingell. “The Trump Admin must stop undermining the decades of progress,” she added. Both the representatives are expected to attend the groundbreaking of the Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park to commemorate 50-year turnaround of the river.

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