WHEREAS, on October 18, 2025, the nation marks the 53^rd anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which aimed to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation's water to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters”; and

WHEREAS, this landmark environmental legislation has been central to the important progress we have made as a Commonwealth in improving the quality and health of our rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and watersheds; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia are dependent on clean waters to safeguard public health; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s abundant lakes, rivers, and streams provide its citizens with numerous recreational and commercial opportunities and greatly enhance their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, clean water plays a vital role in the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth by sustaining our commercial fishing industry, supporting recreational fishing, bolstering tourism, and maintaining our agricultural sector; and

WHEREAS, in the last five decades, the overall health of our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and marine waters has also dramatically improved; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government has cooperated with states, tribes, local communities, businesses, and concerned individuals to significantly reduce all forms of water pollution, making our waters better suited for recreation and other pursuits and more hospitable to aquatic life; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia will observe Clean Water Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities and encourage its citizens to work together to appreciate and protect clean water as a vital resource for our Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 18, 2025, as CLEAN WATER DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.