On June 26, 2024, Lynn R. Goldman, the Michael and Lori Milken Dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health, donated an enrolled copy of the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), which is part of the George Washington University’s Gelman Library. Fittingly, the donation was made in a ceremony during the Environmental Law Institute’s TSCA at 8 conference, which focuses on the impact and changes made to the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Dean Goldman played an instrumental role in the passage of the 2016 legislation not only by testifying before Congress but also by consulting with Congressional staff and other stakeholders targeting legislative reforms that could address shortcomings of the original 1976 statute, which had hindered her ability to effectively protect public health during her tenure at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Passed with bipartisan support during President Barack Obama’s second term, this transformative law modernized U.S. industrial chemical policy to prioritize public health by protecting the most vulnerable, mandating that EPA decisions be based on health and environmental protection, and assuring that the EPA and the public would have much more access to information about chemicals and their toxicity.
In addition to her TSCA donation, Dean Goldman also donated her copy of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, signed by President Bill Clinton 20 years prior to the passage of the Lautenberg bill. This groundbreaking law, passed while Dean Goldman served as Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, modernized the legal framework for regulating pesticide residues in and on food.
Dean Goldman and her staff at EPA worked with the White House to craft policies and legislative language to assure that pesticides would be safe for infants and children and that all would be periodically reassessed to modern standards. Goldman’s crucial role in these landmark environmental statutes was recognized by congressional leaders in both eras, who gave her signed copies of these enrolled bills.
"I made these donations because both of these laws have had a profound impact on protecting public health,” said Dean Goldman. “Prior to passage, the chemical and pesticide industries operated with minimal oversight, posing significant risks to public safety. By implementing rigorous limits and monitoring measures, we have been able to prevent countless health issues and save numerous lives. These laws represent monumental steps forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. Of historic interest are the bipartisan agreements embedded in both of these laws, signed by Democratic presidents and Republican leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives."
Associate Dean Robin Delaloye accepted the donations on behalf of the SCRC, highlighting their significance to the university's archival resources.
GW Library Associate Dean Delaloye expressed the university's gratitude for the donation, stating, "We are honored to receive these historic documents. They represent critical milestones in environmental and public health policy and will be invaluable resources for researchers and students, providing unique insights into the development of these laws and their impact on our society.”
You can view the enrolled copies of the donated legislation by visiting the SCRC after it reopens on August 12, 2024. The library is located at 2130 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. This collection will serve as a testament to the profound impact of these laws and the ongoing efforts to safeguard public health through effective chemical and pesticide regulation.