For several years, BISCO has advocated across the country that coastal
Louisiana is a "Regional Environmental Justice Community" based on several factors:
BISCO was very rewarded to learn at recent EPA gatherings that the EPA, as well as several other agencies and organizations, are now embracing our point of view that what the coastal communities of Louisiana are facing is an environmental injustice that covers the entire region. This is the first step toward correcting these injustices and making our communities whole and healthy. We are very excited about this SUCCESS!!!!
Washington DC trip with two presentations by BISCO Organizer David Gauthe - Feb. 2011 - see the schedule for the exciting event.
Capitol Hill Event:
Congressional Roundtable: Jobs and Economic Opportunity through Gulf Coast Restoration
9:00-10:30 AM
Russell Senate Office Building
SR-432, enter via 428A
The roundtable will include brief comments from private sector leader representing engineering, marine construction, small business, and utility companies across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas discussing the economic impact of coastal and marine restoration projects on their businesses and recovering coastal communities. The format will include time for attending staff to offer comments and engage the local leaders as well as staff from the Gulf Coast Congressional delegation and relevant Congressional Committees their perspective on pending legislative proposals and the ideas discussed.
Industry leaders, conservation, community and economic development experts will also discuss economic development and community engagement strategies to involve businesses, universities, state and local government, and nonprofits in collaborating to help industries connetect to coastal and marine restoration and sciences grow including findings from a new report from Oxfam American and the Center for American Progress.
Opening Remarks:
*Representative Jeff Landry (R-LA)
*Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA)
*Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Brian McGowan
Moderator Paul O’Brien, Oxfam America , VP of Policy and Campaigns
Round Table Participants
Kate Gordon, Center for American Progress, Vice President
Jeffrey Williams, Entergy, Director, Corporate Environmental Initiatives
Mitch Andrus, Royal Engineering , VP of Engineering
Scott Kirkpatrick, Coast Builders Coalition President
Robin Barnes, Greater New Orleans, Inc, Vice President
*Anne Peek, John C. Stennis Space Center, Chief of Applied Technology and Research
Patrick Barnes, BFA Environmental, President
Dr. Randy Brinson, Christian Coalition of Alabama, President
Leah Bray, Natural Capital Development, Vice President
Tuan Dang, Asian Americans for Change, Caseworker
Rev. Tyrone Edwards, Zion Travelers Cooperative Center, Founder
*Chris Oberholster, The Nature Conservancy of Alabama, State Director
David Gauthe, Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO), Program Director
Howard Page, STEPS Coalition, Organizer
Then the luncheon presentation:
Please join the Center for American Progress and Oxfam America for a special presentation:
Beyond Recovery: Moving the Gulf Coast Toward a Sustainable Future
February 9, 2011, 12:30pm – 4:00pm Admission is free. RSVP to attend this event
Following in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita before it, the Deepwater Horizon oil catastrophe beginning in April 2010 exposed the vulnerability of the Gulf Coast environment and economy to natural and man-made disasters—alongside the incredible resilience and determination of its residents as they fought to recover from yet another setback. The federal government took notice. President Barack Obama launched the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, including leaders like Environmental Protection Agency administrator and task force chair Lisa Jackson, White House Domestic Policy Council chair Melody Barnes and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Jane Lubchenco who will join us, along with a group of Gulf Coast business, conservation and nonprofit leaders, for a conversation about the opportunities and challenges towards restoring the coast, sparking innovation, creating jobs, and protecting communities.
Oxfam America and CAP will also release a report analyzing the vulnerability of the economy and ecology of the Gulf region as both a challenge and an opportunity. The report provides recommendations for a regional ecosystem restoration plan to help coastal communities recover their past strength, promote the growth of new industries, and build a foundation for a new economic future.
Opening remarks:
Kate Gordon, Vice President for Energy Policy, Center for American Progress
Paul O’Brien, Vice President of Policy and Campaigns, Oxfam America
Keynote speaker:
Lisa Jackson, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
Panel I: Restoring America’s Gulf Coast: The Challenges and Opportunities
Rev. Tyronne Edwards, Founder, Zion Travelers Cooperative Center
Ajulo Othow, Deputy Director, US Regional Office, Oxfam America
Scott Kirkpatrick, President, Coast Builders Coalition
Dennis Takahashi-Kelso, Executive Vice President, Ocean Conservancy
Moderated by:
Bracken Hendricks, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Keynote speaker:
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Panel II: Regional Recovery Through Economic, Environmental, and Social Innovation
Patrick Barnes, President, BFA Environmental and Founder, Limitless Vistas
Robin Barnes, Executive Vice President, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
David Gauthe, Program Director, Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing
Van Jones, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Anne Peek, Assistant Director, Project Directorate, NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Moderated by:
Paul O’Brien, Vice President of Policy and Campaigns, Oxfam America
Keynote Speaker:
Melody Barnes, Chair, White House Domestic Policy Council
Closing Remarks:
John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress
February 9, 2011, 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Space is extremely limited. RSVP required.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and not guaranteed.
A light lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m.
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
For more information, call 202-682-1611.
Congratulations!
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