Remarks for the Texas Southern University Bullard Center Press Conference, As Prepared for Delivery
Michael Regan
Houston, TX
Hello everyone!
President Sias, thank you for that introduction, and for welcoming us to Texas Southern University.
Whip Clark, it’s a pleasure to have you join us. Thank you for your remarkable leadership.
It's because of your work to pass the Inflation Reduction Act that we’ve been able to make historic investments in environmental justice in communities across the country.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee, it’s great to join you today.
I’m grateful for your tremendous leadership. Thank you for your steady and unwavering commitment to the people of Houston.
Congresswoman, you’ve spent your career fighting for those most vulnerable among us while remaining a consistent and powerful voice for your community.
You have been a staunch advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and environmental justice, and you continue to elevate the need for equity, fairness, and inclusion in decisions that impact the health of our communities and environment.
EPA and this administration is lucky to have you as a partner in Congress, and I appreciate the invitation to join today’s celebration.
We’re also honored to have Dr. Robert Bullard here with us today.
Known as the father of the environmental justice movement, Dr. Bullard is a pioneer and has been a visionary leader throughout his life of public service.
Dr. Bullard’s work has indisputably brought the issue of environmental justice into public consciousness. He’s worked to ensure that EJ is not only recognized and prioritized in the broader environmental movement, but also at the highest levels of government.
Through his decades of advocacy, research, and activism, Dr. Bullard has helped to uplift the voices of marginalized communities while driving significant and lasting change across our country.
Since 2021, the Bullard Center for Environmental Justice has been a cornerstone of this community—carrying out essential work to help those most underserved and overburdened tackle their unique and persistent environmental justice challenges.
I am honored to be here to celebrate the Bullard Center being selected to receive $50 million dollars to serve as one of the eleven grantmakers under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers program.
Back in December, EPA announced $600 million dollars in funding, from the historic Inflation Reduction Act, that will go to grantmakers across the country.
Grantmakers will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, while providing resources and support to communities across our country.
Here in Houston, the Bullard Center will work closely with its community-based partner organization, Achieving Community Tasks Successfully, to engage, educate, and empower communities that have been affected by the harmful impacts of industrial pollution for decades.
The Bullard Center will also work hand-in-hand with the EPA Region 6 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers, including the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, with whom the Bullard Center is an official partner.
I am also excited to see your work with other environmental justice-focused organizations, to maximize the impact of this funding—and ensure that these transformative investments flow directly to organizations that have historically been left behind.
Because of EPA’s Grantmakers Program, communities will be able to access subgrants to fund local clean-ups, environmental workforce development programs, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, air quality projects, and so much more.
On day one of this administration, President Biden made it clear that advancing environmental justice was a top priority.
And thanks to his leadership, through the Inflation Reduction Act, we have a real opportunity to ensure that communities that have been underserved and overburdened for decades, finally get the resources and help they need.
At EPA, it’s our privilege and greatest responsibility to ensure that all people in this country—no matter the color of their skin, the community they live in, or how much money they have in their pocket—have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and an opportunity to live a healthy life.
And the Bullard Center is helping bring us one step closer to that goal.
Folks, I’m excited, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about what’s to come.
Congratulations to The Bullard Center for Environmental Justice, I can’t wait to see what you all do next!
Now it’s my pleasure to introduce Dr. Bullard.