Congressman David Trone, U.S. Interior Secretary Haaland Tour National Parks and Host Roundtable on Environmental Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2021
Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov
Congressman David Trone, U.S. Interior Secretary Haaland Tour National Parks and Host Roundtable on Environmental Justice
Congressman Trone and U.S. Interior Secretary Haaland alongside C&O National Park Rangers
WILLIAMSPORT, MD — Today, U.S. Congressman David Trone (MD-06) and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the C&O Canal National Historical Park and Antietam National Battlefield, and later hosted a roundtable discussion on climate change impacts with numerous environmental organizations. During the roundtable, the group discussed how to combat climate change in Maryland, and further mitigate its impacts in underserved and underrepresented communities.
The tour also highlighted climate change provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law by President Biden earlier this month. The Law serves as the largest investment in climate resiliency infrastructure in our country’s history, providing much-needed funding to boost our local economies, bolster renewable energy sources, and generate career pathways for generations to come.
“As one of the world’s largest contributors to climate change, the United States’ action to combat its impacts is long overdue,” said Congressman Trone. “I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework so that we can finally bring actionable solutions to communities across our state. We need to protect our natural resources and invest in a green economy. That’s what Secretary Haaland and I discussed today, and that’s what we plan on fighting tooth and nail to get done.”
“The many components of our national parks – including old trails, historic buildings and water infrastructure – are essential to not only increasing access for everyone, but also to telling the rich cultural history of our nation,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “With over $30 billion in funding for the Interior Department, the Infrastructure Law is a historic down payment that will go a long way to investing in the vast infrastructure that sustains our public lands and national parks, while also helping achieve our environmental justice goals.”
During the climate change and environmental justice roundtable, the Congressman and Secretary were joined by:
- Jennifer Driban, Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, National Aquarium
- Curtis Bennett, Director of Equity and Community Engagement, National Aquarium
- Tianna Bogart, Associate Professor, Frostburg State University Climate Science Studies
- Ramon Palencia-Calvo, Deputy Executive Director, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
- Rosa Hance, Chair of the Maryland Sierra Club Chapter Board
- Dana Johnson, Senior Director of Strategy and Federal Policy, We ACT for Environmental Justice
- Keisha Sedlacek, Federal Legislative and Policy Attorney, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Keith Colston, Director, Ethnic Commissions, State of Maryland
- Lisa Nissley, Communications Specialist and Environmental Justice Coordinator, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Sabrina Fu, Regional Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic, Citizens Climate Lobby
- Representatives from Senator Ben Cardin’s office
- Representatives from Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
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