LETTERS: ENVIRONMENT RECORDS

To the editor:

Though poorly rated politicians inevitably disagree, the League of Conservation Voters is a nonpartisan group that evaluates the record of our federal representatives on the basis of their performance in Washington. A number of key votes is evaluated in each house, and the votes of the representatives are measured against those that reflect support for human and environmental health. As a result of those evaluations, the league then supports or opposes candidates for federal office.

Unfortunately, our regional lawmakers boast among the worst set of records of any in the Midwest. Despite repeated polls showing that voters are committed to maintaining or strengthening laws protecting environmental and human health, our representatives seemingly just don't get it. Thus, we find the following appallingly low measures of environmental sensitivity among our representatives during the 1995 Congress, recorded as percentages of pro-environmental and pro-health positions: House of Representatives -- Emerson 0. Senate -- Ashcroft 0, Bond 0.

What they don't seem to understand is that both the future quality of life and the economic wealth of Americans are dependent on wise management of our resources and protection for human health. Our sustainable planet is under attack for short-term profit. We, our children and our national environment cannot afford a continuation of the war on human and environmental health that so many of our current representatives are waging.

ALAN JOURNET

Cape Girardeau