Pop singer testifies on Capitol Hill about
coal mining practice
Source:Yahoo News
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By MALIA RULON, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys shared his concerns
about a coal mining practice with a Senate panel on Thursday and one lawmaker said she would
accept the singer's offer of an aerial tour to see the environmental effect.
"When I move back home to Kentucky to raise a family on my farm, I want my kids to be able to fish
and swim in the same places I grew up," said Richardson, who has an environmental group called Just
Within Reach.
He testified about mountaintop mining, a practice in which the top of a ridge or mountain is sheared off
to expose a coal seam. Dirt and rock waste then is pushed into nearby valleys and waterways. Critics
say the Bush administration is undercutting environmental laws with a rule encouraging such mining.
"I am not a scientist, but I know what I've seen in flights over the coal fields," Richardson told a Senate
Environment and Public Works subcommittee.
He invited members to join him on a flight to see the areas themselves, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she would accept his offer.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., defended his invitation to Richardson,
whose testimony was criticized by one committee member.
"Mr. Richardson is here as more than a well-known celebrity," Lieberman said. "He is knowledgeable
on this issue and has in fact worked to protect the environment in his home state. I believe his voice will
add to our understanding of the issue."
Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, boycotted the hearing to protest the recent
parade of celebrities to Capitol Hill, which has included Julia Roberts and Christie Brinkley.
"It's unfortunate that he's not here. I could have taught him something," Richardson said of Voinovich.
The senator did not immediately return messages left Thursday.
Earlier, Voinovich said it was a "joke" to think that Richardson could provide senators with information
on important geological and water quality issues.
"We're either serious about the issues or we're running a sideshow," Voinovich said.
Richardson said drawing media attention was his intention.
"That's entirely what I am here for. I am going to help mountaintop mining to be stopped," he said. "But
to say that I am not educated on the issues and that I don't have anything to add to the issue is wrong. I
have every right to be here."
Political analysts agree there is a fine line between celebrities with legitimate expertise and those who
have been invited to appear before Congress just to draw news coverage.
Michael J. Fox and former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali appealed last month for
more research money for Parkinson's disease, which they both have.
Brinkley discussed nuclear energy. Roberts spoke about a neurological disorder that mainly afflicts
young girls.