Thomas Baldini
Chairman of the United States Section of the International
Joint Commission
“The State of the Lake Superior and Great Lakes Basins”
(Thursday evening, May 17)

Canada and the United States created the International Joint Commission in 1909 to promote wise use and management of lake and river systems along the U.S./Canadian border, for the benefit of today's citizens and future generations. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system contains one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. The system is an important part of the geog-raphy, economy and lifestyles of residents in eight states, Min-nesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and two provinces, Ontario and Quebec. The goal of the Commission is to eliminate pollution while promoting economic prosperity. Thomas L. Baldini of Marquette, Michigan became the chair of the U.S. Section of the International Joint Commission in 1994.