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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release December 21, 1999

                      STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
                       ON CLEANER AIR, CLEANER CARS

     I've always believed that we have to take strong measures to

protect the environment -- especially clean air and clean water -- because they are so essential to our children's health and well-being.

That's why today's new action is so important. For the very first time, we will require new SUV's, minivans, and pick-up trucks to meet the same tough emission standards as regular cars.

That means over the next few decades, we'll remove literally tens of millions of tons of pollution from the air -- and from our children's lungs. We estimate that there will be 260,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, and more than 4,000 fewer premature deaths.

This is an announcement that will protect our children's health -- and also help move us toward the kinds of clean technologies that will build our economy for the long-term.

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