Earth Day on the Hill meet with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D, CA)

Vivian Buckingham, Rabbi Stone and Antonio
Gonzalez during the Congressional Briefing

The leaders came from indigenous, religious, middle class and working class communities as well as communities of color to inform Congress that they have a great deal at stake in the climate change discussion and in the way that relevant legislation is drafted. Congressional members and their staffs heard first hand from Earth Day on the Hill participants that failure to address climate justice issues in a swift, affirmative and ameliorative manner will have devastating consequences for those communities that are already on the front lines of environmental harms. "I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to come together in dialogue to lift up the climate justice dimensions of the Global Warming debate, that are more frequently than not completely ignored by the Green Groups," said Vernice Miller-Travis, Executive Director of Groundwork USA.

In addition to meeting with Congressional members and their staffs, the leaders and activists participated in strategy and networking sessions, attended a press conference at the National Press Club and a policy briefing session on Capitol Hill arranged under the auspices of Congresswoman Hilda Solis.

Congresswoman Hilda Solis during the conference at the National Press Club

Senator Kerry with EDN President, Kathleen
Rogers ,at the Kerrys' reception

The group was later graciously hosted by Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry at a reception held at their home in Washington, D.C.

Earth Day on the Hill in the Media

- Earth Day on the Hill Draws Diverse Body of Support