Letters: On Earth Day, recognize those who act to help our planet
Earth Day is April 22, and therefore it is a good time to recognize organizations and individuals who are taking action to help our planet and the creatures who reside on it. I am grateful to nonprofits like Humane Indiana Wildlife and Rescue Release Repeat for their invaluable services to help injured, sick and orphaned raptors and other animals in northern Indiana.
We can show our support for organizations like these through our donations of cash or supplies, but also by being mindful of how our personal actions impact wildlife. For example, sportsmen can avoid the use of lead-based fishing supplies and gunshot, as lead poisoning is threatening even our beloved eagle, the symbol of American freedom. Lead shot in water and on the land is also a substantial risk to humans.
We can also thank the elected officials who are fighting the good fight in the Indiana Statehouse to protect public health and our quality of life. Specifically, state Rep. Ryan Dvorak and state Rep. Maureen Bauer, who have been pushing back on some Republicans who were attempting to reduce regulations on cancer-causing PFAS chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals,” which can cause cancer in humans and wildlife.
Brian Will
Granger
Affordable?
Creating a full-size swimming pool at Kennedy Park is a great idea for the west side, but charging $4-$5 a visit to use even a wading pool puts it far out of reach of neighborhood residents. There should be free passes for all the children who live within a certain radius of the pool.
Jill A. Boughton
South Bend
Vote McGann
Having served four years (2016-2020) as a deputy coroner under Mike McGann’s leadership as the St. Joseph County coroner, I endorse him for coroner in the 2024 election. While serving the citizens with compassion and empathy, Mike was chosen by the Indiana State Coroners Association as Coroner of the Year during his term. With 92 county coroners in Indiana, being selected demonstrates Mike’s professionalism.
Sam Walsh
Mishawaka
Health matters
Investing in global health during the appropriations cycle will safeguard the progress we’ve made in strengthening health systems and combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria over the past 20 years. The COVID-19 pandemicsignificantly halted our progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. U.S. global leadership and funding are essential in addressing many health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, maternal/child mortality and health care worker shortages.
To best support these efforts, we propose funding in the fiscal year 2025 appropriations cycle for these issues:◦ The Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria◦ The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ◦ Funding for maternal and child health through USAID (United States Agency for International Development)◦ The CDC Community Health Workers Grant Program
We call on Sen. Todd Young, a member of the subcommittee for Africa and global health policy, to consider these issues in the FY25 appropriations cycle. We also ask for Sen. Mike Braun’s support as a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. These measures will be critical in promoting global health and economic stability so that all nations are equipped to handle public health threats.
Tommy McClelland, Lauren Bell and Jack DreyPartners in Health Engage Notre Dame
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: On Earth Day, thank those who help our planet
