Clean Water for Ed Markey

By Cindy Luppi, New England Regional Director

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I'm proud to report this week Clean Water Action endorsed Representative Ed Markey in the United States Senate race in Massachusetts. For decades, Rep. Markey has been a consistent and powerful friend to all who value clean air, clean water and healthy communities. Over Representative Markey's decades of service, he has been at the forefront of every major movement to protect our drinking water, air quality and community health and safety. A short list of his leadership efforts includes leading the drive for a smart response to the climate crisis, repeatedly protecting the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts from industry attacks, leading efforts to prevent harm to our health from toxic chemicals  -- ranging from banning the notorious chemical bisphenol A (BPA) to phasing out dangerous chemicals in personal care products, being the most effective and persistent watchdog of nuclear safety issues and more. Full disclosure: this is personal to me - Representative Markey is my Congressman. As his constituent, I have seen him jump into action whenever my community of Winthrop, Massachusetts has needed protection from pollution, or would benefit from a green jobs program or clean energy opportunity. And I've been able to count on him to lead the fight for our health, wherever that battle needed to be waged.  All with a twinkle in his eye, and smart scientists and innovative business leaders at his side. I still remember the first time I met him in person.  President George W. Bush was introducing his so-called "Clear Skies" initiative. It was nothing more than a thinly disguised weakening of the Clean Air Act. That day Representative Markey spoke at a press conference with us, health professionals and other environmental advocates. He brought his famous wit to the table -- characterizing Bush's  philosophy as "regulate lightly, carry a big asthma inhaler".  A clever play on words, no doubt, but also a powerful commitment from the Representative to keep fighting for clean air and reducing the burdens on our respiratory health in the face of a presidential administration that was too closely allied to Big Oil. While I will be sad at the prospect of losing Representative Markey as Winthrop's representative in the House, I am thrilled that he is poised to represent all of us in Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate.  And how fortunate are we that Representative Markey is eager to continue his impressive track record of public service on our behalf. Clean Water Action will be actively reaching out to its 50,000 members and supporters in Massachusetts in the coming weeks, urging those who are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary to support Representative Markey for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate on April 30.  Urge your friends and neighbors to do the same -- this is a clear choice we can all feel inspired by.