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Statement Of Leon Thomas
Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
San Antonio, Texas
April 8, 2003
United Homeowners Improvement Association
I am Leon Thomas of the United Homeowners Improvement Association. There is a situation that is called environmental racism. We have always believed EPA to be a powerful force. We endured air pollution, as long as we could, and then we decided to fight industry to improve things, I wrote the EPA. The EPA referred me to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). After a long procedure, we found out from TCEQ that it would not accept air pollution complaints. You can't file a complaint on air pollution, you have to be directly impacted. I have an eye problem that is somewhat different from those described by people here today. We can see the impurities in the air which we breathe and in the dust. We can smell the toluene coming from the manufacturers, which affects our health. We have problems getting these health concerns resolved. We have an air quality section within the city {government}, which is totally powerless and just receives money for nothing. They are not worth a damn. What we need from the EPA is be something to the citizens. I know that the EPA gives responsibilities to TCEQ. When you go to TCEQ you have a long, drawn out procedure that is laid out mostly by the lawyers - they make the rules - and you go five years with TCEQ all way to the Court of Appeals to get something done. This is wrong and it should be corrected. I don't understand how it is, that we - as citizens - allow this to be done. I want to Vietnam and offered my life for the country. Now, I am fighting for my home and my community. If I have to die for them, I'd rather do that than to die for the country. If I am not willing to die for my home, what good am I as a citizen? We need everyone to stand up and start fighting to get what we deserve. Thank you.