Waxman:a true national champion for public health

Your editorial "Beverly Hillbully" (May 19) fails to acknowledge some pertinent facts. In setting the new ozone air quality standard, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson ignored the unanimous recommendation of the congressionally chartered body of independent science advisers to set a more rigorous standard. The recommendation of these advisers -- all of whom were appointed by this administration and charged by the federal Clean Air Act to give advice to the EPA administrator on setting air quality standards -- was not pulled out of thin air, nor driven by a political agenda. It was supported by the conclusions of numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies of the effects of ozone on morbidity and mortality. Yet Mr. Johnson chose to forgo a critical opportunity to protect the health and welfare of millions of people in over 160 major metropolitan areas throughout the country who will continue to be exposed to excessive levels of ozone because the areas in which they reside will not be covered by the new standard.

Congressman Henry Waxman is not a bully, nor is his "ozone outrage" phony. For nearly 35 years, Mr. Waxman has been a true national champion for public health, working tirelessly and passionately to protect everyone in this country, particularly the less affluent.

To those genuinely interested in ensuring that we and future generations will breathe clean air, Mr. Waxman is a hero.