I would like to congratulate New Jersey's Legislature for passing the Global Warming Response Act, which will help reduce our state's greenhouse gas emissions.

For too long, the federal government has failed to take meaningful action on the global warming crisis. As a result, it has been left to individual states to address the problem. I am proud that New Jersey has shown leadership on this critical issue.

It's not too late for the federal government to act on global warming. In fact, two proposed bills in Congress -- the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309) in the Senate and the Safe Climate Act (HR. 1590) in the House -- would alleviate global warming by reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of clean, efficient, renewable energy sources. In the process, we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create jobs producing renewable energy right here in the United States.

Everyone concerned about the climate change crisis should contact their representatives in Congress and ask them to support these bills. Working together, we can protect our planet, create jobs and save lives.