I am writing to express my strong support for ACR85/SCR134, that amends Article I of the New Jersey State Constitution to recognize the Environmental Rights of the people of New Jersey. As a result of this new legislation Article 1, paragraph 24, of the New Jersey Constitution would protect the "right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, and ecologically healthy habitats," for "both present and future generations." I hope you will join Senators Greenstein and Bateman and Assembly members Pinkin and McKeon, Benson, Jasey, Zwicker, and Reynolds-Jackson as a co-sponsor and actively encourage legislative leaders for floor votes. A recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind found that 83% of New Jersey residents believe that the right to clean air and clean water should be protected by the constitution, with support running all demographics. In fact, it is commonly believed that the people of New Jersey already have a right to clean water that is not going to make us sick, and to breathe air that won't trigger health impacts like an asthma attack or lead to diseases like lung cancer and/or premature death, and to healthy environments that will help keep us safe. There is also a belief that there is a right for all to live, work and play in a protected environment. But the rights of New Jerseyans to clean water, air and a healthy environment are not given any constitutional protection in the state of New Jersey. Through passage of this bill you have the power to change that. You can provide New Jerseyan's a say in adopting constitutionally protected environmental rights. I believe that establishing a fundamental environmental right will drive better government decision-making at all levels of government and will prevent situations or conditions in which land becomes too contaminated, water becomes too polluted, and air too dirty to support healthy lives, including a healthy economy. Furthermore, enshrining Environmental Rights sends a message to all that New Jersey places a high priority on ensuring clean water, safe drinking water, healthy air, a safe climate, and a healthful natural environment. It will also help position the State to be recognized as the true national environmental leader that we want to be. Thirty-five states or commonwealths have some form of "environmental rights" or expression of environmental values in their Constitutions; but only the State of Montana and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are recognized as true leaders for protecting environmental rights on par with other political and civil freedoms we all hold dear. I believe that it is time for New Jersey to update its Constitution with a right to clean air and water, and a healthy environment. I call on you, as my elected representative, to support mine and my fellow New Jerseyan's rights to clean water, clean air and a healthful environment by supporting SCR134/ACR85. I ask that you sponsor the bill and work for its passage this year, so that it may be presented to New Jersey voters in 2019.