CoolMom's Director,Terri Glaberson, flew to D.C. on October 20, 2009 to visit Washington State Senators and Representatives to discuss the current climate change bill that is in the Senate, The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act introduced by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer. Terri and many environmental supporters from all over the Nation flew in too meet with Senators and Congressmen to send the message that Moms, Dads, families, businesses, churches, and environmental groups alike want a strong climate energy bill this year.
Highlights of the Trip
-Meet up over Coffee. Both Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell invited those visiting D.C. to share a cup-of-Joe and ask a few questions. Several visitors were their on vacation but some were specifically in D.C. to discuss health care reform. Terri and about four others were present to ask the question where did the Senators stand on the current climate and clean energy bill. Both Senators agreed that the bill was important, but differed on time line. Senator Patty Murray felt that the health care reform bill had to be completed prior to work on the Climate Change Bill. Senator Maria Cantwell felt that the bill is vital to Washington States current energy policy and growing green economy and that she was waiting for the right time to show strong leadership, as she has with the health care reform bill. She stated that the bill is important to pass this year and that when the time is right she will be coming in hard and strong. As a parting gift, Terri gave both Senators a DVD of letters collected from CoolMom -Moms, Kids and supporters.
-Compost Letter a Big Hit! In a special one-on-one meeting with Senator Maria Cantwell and her Deputy Chief of Staff, Amit Ronen, Terri handed Maria Cantwell Greenwood CoolMom and Kids' letters and art work. Senator Cantwell was thrilled to receive the letters and placed them up in her office. She especially liked the art work with the glued on compost! And, remembering Terri from the one-on-one meeting, when seeing Terri the next day for the meet up for Coffee, Senator Cantwell gave a shout out to CoolMom by asking Terri to explain to the entire group what CoolMom did as an organization!
-Climate Change Bill Very Important. In meeting with all the Senators, *Congressmen and their staffers, the overall tone and message was that climate change legislation is important and vital to supporting Washington States current and growing green energy economy.
A special one-on-one with Congressman Brian Baird (second one from the left) pictured here with Jeremy Bunn, PH.d. student in hydro-electric power and employed as a hydro-electric scientist, Stewart Henderson, Third Way Consulting Group, LLC representing the small business sector and Climate Solutions, and Terri Glaberson, CoolMom Director, reiterated the strong need for Climate Change Legislation. Congressman Baird is an ardent supporter of clean energy technology and green jobs for Washington State.
Special Thank you. A big thank you to Climate Solutions, Seattle, WA for inviting Terri Glaberson to Washington, D.C. and to USCAN (Climate Action Network) for organizing the trip and supporting climate change legislation. The USCAN story details the trip to D.C. from a national perspective including a CoolMom highlight.
*Office Visits included: Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Jim McDermott, Congressman Jay Inslee, Congressman Brian Baird, Congressman Adam Smith, and Congressman Rick Larsen
