Speeches

Priorities: Something to Think About, President Bush

It really wasn’t surprising that President George Bush did not mention restoring the Great Lakes during his last State of the Union. It would have been truly shocking had he. But I held out hope. I mean George Bush is the guy who starting this collaboration among city, state, tribal, congressional and environmental gurus to protect the Great Lakes.

It is likely the President didn’t expect us to come back to him with such a pricey package of legislation – even for jaded Washington appropriators - $20 billion is a big deal. And Bush has witnessed smaller pieces of our Read More » »

Barack Obama Sends Emissary to HOW Conference

Illinois Senator Barack Obama deserves some kudos from Great Lakes advocates of every political persuasion. Of all the presidential hopefuls, he is the only one to respond to the invitation to speak to the coalition’s annual conference. During the presentation, Obama, a democrat, committed to working for the passage of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act. Although, he didn’t appear himself, he sent his words and sentiments with a local politician, Debra Shore.

Shore, a self-described gay, Jewish, conservation advocate, representing a skinny, black man with a funny name – cheerfully and with humor brought Obama’s message to the HOW coalition. Read More » »

Ohio Legislators Stepping Up to Confront Invasive Species

Strong words from Senator Voinovich (R-OH), Ohio DNR Director Sean Logan, and others earlier this week about passing ballast water legislation. We look forward to working with these folks to ensure that what gets passed in Congress will truly protect the Great Lakes from new introductions of invasive species.

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

Invasive fish like zebra mussels and round goby are “terrorists from abroad” and at the center of “the second battle of Lake Erie” Voinovich said at the news conference, which was hosted by the Ohio Environmental Council at Cleveland Lakefront State Park overlooking Lake Erie.

Full Akron Beacon Read More » »