Climate Action Campaign, the Environmental Defense Fund and Dream.Org Host Gathering

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) and Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan (VA-4) joined environmental justice leaders, public health advocates, faith leaders, and friends in paying tribute to the late U.S. Representative Donald McEachin for his tireless work on behalf of Virginians and his legacy of environmental justice leadership in Congress and throughout his life. 

“I am just so humbled to be here celebrating my friend. We do this work for this moment, but we also do it for the future—the beautiful future that we’re building on his legacy,” Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) said speaking to the standing-room-only gathering. “He made sure that the Virginia coastlines were protected against offshore drilling. He made sure that we got the lead out of our pipes and our schools, and in our homes. Air quality monitoring—he and I worked together on that legislation.”

Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), who previously won McEachin’s open state senate seat, said, “I cannot be prouder than to succeed for the second time Donald McEachin. Two of the proudest moments for him were the Environmental Justice for All Act, and he was instrumental in ensuring that the Inflation Reduction Act had historic investments in clean energy and climate action. He understood that clean energy is not only good for the environment, but it is good for our economy.” 

In recognition of Congressman McEachin’s legacy, event co-host Dream.Org awarded two environmental advocates from Virginia’s 4th Congressional District for their community-based work with the inaugural “Donald McEachin Dream.Org Climate Action Award.” Recipients include: La’Veesha Allen Rollins and Rev. Wayne Henley, founding members of C5-Concerned Citizens of Charles City County.”

To honor the family’s request, the tribute hosts also contributed $3,000.00 to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, the theological school the late congressman attended. 

The tribute ended with two calls to action. Continue to keep up the fight for environmental justice for all that Congressman McEachin passionately embraced. Honor him right now by submitting a public comment on the EPA at cacampaign.us/soot  A livestream of the full tribute can be viewed here.  

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