On Tuesday, May 27, Raleigh felt a bit greener – even if it was just for a few hours. We hosted our 8th Annual Green Tie Awards Dinner, where we brought together legislative champions, community members, supporters, and advocates who all believe our environment should be a priority.
The event was held just a few blocks from the NC General Assembly where the House’s Public Utilities Commission voted to move the Energy Modernization Act (fracking bill) forward in the early evening hours. Maria Kingery, President of the NC League of Conservation Voters Board of Directors, served as the night’s emcee, welcoming a prestigious list of current and former legislators, past Green Tie winners, and other distinguished guests.
Much of Maria’s talk for the evening focused on why the decisions we are all making now have such enormous implications for our children and our grandchildren. She also highlighted the difficult time the environmental community has faced over the last few years at the General Assembly, from fighting attacks on the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (REPS) to addressing coal ash clean-up to lifting the moratorium on fracking regulations. Despite those attacks, she offered each person in the room hope. Hope for what is next as our environmental community and advocates come together in order to make positive change. Here is an excerpt from her speech:
“By taking action – at the General Assembly and at the polls – we are making a commitment to leave a legacy. Our children, and our children’s children, are depending on us. Each generation has an unspoken responsibility to pass on a better world. Granted, we have already given them iPads, Angry Birds, and selfies. But, if we cannot guarantee them safe drinking water; if we cannot provide for them green spaces to explore; if we cannot assure them that they will not have lives plagued by respiratory distress; and if we cannot look back and say – ‘We gave it our all’ – then we have failed, not just them, but ourselves, and our duty as stewards of this earth.
We have an opportunity – a destiny, if you will – to shift our team from defense to offense – to make North Carolina no longer the laughing stock of the nation but the state to be envied, because we will unite with one voice to say: ‘This matters. And if you don’t believe it matters, you will no longer have a seat at this table because we will find those who do.’ Stay hopeful, my friends and allies, that North Carolina’s future is bright.”
Our keynote speaker, US Senator Kay Hagan, shared her commitment to fighting climate change, citing her support of federal legislation to curb carbon emissions and increase opportunities for green energy, including here in North Carolina. She touted the need for environmentally-sound decision-making, especially in regards to energy exploration.
This was one of our largest classes of award winners, thanks in part to the number of Rising Stars (9!) we were able to recognize from 2013. Despite the fact that the entire environmental community played defense for the majority of last year’s session, we had many Senators and Representatives who stood up for our air, water, and land.
The 2014 Green Tie Award Winners included:
Senator of the Year: Angela Bryant
Representative of the Year: Larry Hall
Rising Stars: Senators Valerie Foushee, Mike Woodard; Representatives Nathan Baskerville, Carla Cunningham, George Graham, Duane Hall, Yvonne Lewis Holley, Bobbie Richardson, and Evelyn Terry.
“The Joes”: Senator Ellie Kinnaird, Former Senator and currently Mayor Dan Clodfelter, Representative Joe Tolson, and Senator Martin Nesbitt (posthumously)
The evening was capped off with an inspirational speech by two potential future Green Tie Winners. Hallie Turner and Zach Kingery, both too young to vote, shared why they have made a commitment to protect the environment. They have worked to raise climate change awareness here in North Carolina. But, as they stated, they need our help. They need us to ensure we are voting for leaders whose values align with ours and who are willing to stand up to protect our natural resources for the generations of today and those still to come. Both exited the stage to a standing ovation.
Overall, it was another successful opportunity to recognize and honor leaders who have made environmentally-sound decisions. We appreciate all who came and supported this event, and we look forward to celebrating even more Green Tie winners next year!
