Next up on our Safe Drinking Water Act 50 Series, Unsung Heroes of the Safe Drinking Water Act, is Senator Howard Baker from Tennessee. Howard Baker served in the Senate for three consecutive terms, earning a broad reputation for his collaborative but bold nature. He emphasized the importance of bipartisan action to ensure safe drinking water and helped establish several monumental environmental policies.
Due to his numerous bipartisan initiatives, he was deemed the “Great Conciliator.” Living up to that title, he drafted and advocated for the revolutionary 1970 Clean Water Act, as well as the Water Pollution Control Act. His involvement in the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 was crucial to its success.
Senator Howard Baker’s contributions have been pivotal for public health in America. In the next 50 years, we need to remember that the “natural environment we bequeath to our children and grandchildren is of paramount importance.” – Senator Howard Baker