TODAY
President's Corner:
"You Can 'Jump The Shark,' Just Be Sure It Doesn't Eat You!"
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Super Senator Gloria Lawlah
My state senator gives politicians a good name. Maryland State Senator Gloria Lawlah is a delightful person and effective legislator. Senator Lawlah recently spent a couple hours with me riding in a golf cart for nine holes at Tantallon Country Club. It was great. How often does one get to share quality time with their state senator while engaging in one of their favorite activities. Senator Lawlah plays and played in the tournament to help Fort Foote Part last year. She just decided to ride along today. And it was a beautiful day. Senator Lawlah had just returned from a vacation in Paris, France I guess as a treat after the close of the 2006 legislative session. Anyway, we didn't get a picture together at the golf tournament but we are pictured below at the dedication of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Kudos to my state senator. She is truly great.
Maryland State Senator Gloria Lawlah & Norris McDonald
U.S. Senate Environment Committee Gets Modernization
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was getting a major overhaul in March when I stopped by to peak in. The modernization appeared to involve a major rewiring under the floor. With all the other renovations going on on Capitol Hill, I guess this is just one more update. Just know that you are not entering the same old room next time you are there.
U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool Is Dry Right Now
It probably isn't global warming but just a maintenance job on the reflecting pool. It was just really strange to see it dry. Having been in town for almost 30 years, I have never seen it dry before. That would be great for big rallies on the West Capitol and the Mall. But the water is beautiful and provides a relaxing vision between the Capitol and the Mall.
Norris McDonald at dry U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool
Rev Al Sharpton Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King
Rev Al Sharpton held his annual tribute to Rev Martin Luther King in New York and it was spectacular. Other honorees and attendees included James Brown, Tyler Perry, Gayle King, Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Rev Jesse Jackson (keynote speaker), and others from corporate America.
Valerie Simpson, Norris McDonald & Nicholas Ashford
Where I Started
I joined the environmental movement in 1979 in the two offices on Capitol Hill pictured below. They are located at 317 & 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. I worked there until 1985 when I started AAEA. It was great. There are restaurants and bars all along the street and we were two blocks from the House and four blocks from the Senate. It is amazing to think that it is approaching 30 years since I first started there. And it has changed very little. A Burger King was on the first floor and we had the two top floors at 317. Lustre Cleaners is still on the first floor at 319. A Kinkos was there at 317 for years and now a BB&T Bank occupis the first floor. We had the third floor in that building and that is where I directed the Energy Conservation Project. We later moved around the corner and the Environmental Policy Center/Institute fused with Friends of the Earth.
Norris McDonald At 317 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E.
Norris McDonald at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
President Woodrow Wilson's Car
It was the first car to cross the first new span of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge during the dedication on May 18, 2006. I look pretty cool standing next to the car.I was also among the fist people to cross the new span.
