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Inauguration Day

By Mary Ann Pohl

Before the Obamas and Bidens and most other Americans were awake on the 20th - with the possible exception of those camped out on The Mall who were either too cold or too excited to sleep - I was at home in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia watching the 'Made in Chicago' documentary. Then I set up to record the live inauguration coverage which started at 2:30am local time. That was the 21st here, and I stayed home (skipped work) to watch the parade, then the recorded inauguration coverage, then the highlights and comments news show at 12:30pm local time. I went to the office for the afternoon, then came home and watched the Australian national news, replayed the recorded inauguration coverage, and drank most of a bottle of vintage 2000 (pre-Bush) Champagne!

I've never before wished I could be present in Washington for an inauguration. But then I've never before felt that I helped to elect a peoples' President, either. For the first time in the six years I've lived outside the US I'm proud of all Americans for choosing this amazing leader. We've earned the respect and admiration of the world. Let's not lose it ever again.

Mary Ann Pohl is a member of Democrats Abroad, "the organization that keeps us 'expatriots' informed and involved in the political life of our homeland. It's great to be able to gather in cities around the world to console ourselves about losses and celebrate victories. We had 80 people at a pub in central Brisbane to watch the election returns on a big plasma TV."

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News from Our Electeds

Farr Perfect on Conservation Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservations Voters this week awarded Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) a perfect 100 percent rating on its annual National Environmental Scorecard.

The scorecard is used by the group as a yardstick to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.

“Even as Congress continues to work on creating jobs and jumpstarting our economy, we have to keep an eye on the bigger picture,” Rep. Farr said. “Making sure we protect the environment, preserve green space and address climate change all have long-term ramifications we can’t ignore.”

The 2009 Scorecard included 13 House votes, ranging from clean energy and climate change to public lands and wildlife conservation.

“The successes of the first session of the 111th Congress, including passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation in the U.S. House, clearly demonstrated a down payment on the change that voters sought in 2008,” said League of Conservations Voters President Gene Karpinski.

The full 2009 National Environmental Scorecard can be found at www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Carmel Fisherman Appointed to Regional Fishery Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Crabbe, a longtime fisherman from Carmel, has been appointed to the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The Pacific Council is one of eight regional bodies that manage offshore fisheries. The Pacific Council is responsible for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
“David is a perfect fit for this position, with the heart of a fisherman and the brain of a scientist,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who wrote a letter supporting Crabbe’s appointment.
In his letter, Rep. Farr wrote: “David continues to be an important leader on the conservation issues facing today's fisheries, especially the urgent need for achieving sustainability so that our nation's fishing heritage and coastal economic vitality can be perpetuated.”
The councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, create comprehensive plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. Among their goals is to fulfill the act’s charge to end overfishing of 41 stocks by 2010. NOAA’s Fisheries Service works closely with the councils during plan development and also reviews, approves and implements the management plans developed by the councils.
“We welcome the new and returning appointees to these important councils. They play a critical role in ensuring sustainable marine fisheries, which are in turn vitally important to coastal communities and coastal economies,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. “This is an exciting and challenging time for fishery management, and the councils’ efforts ensure that the public is well represented in this process. These are the experts -- fishermen and scientists, leaders in their regions -- who will help us achieve sustainable fisheries and maintain vibrant fishing communities.”
Council members represent a variety of interests, from commercial and recreational fisheries to environmental concerns to academia. A total of 72 members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Crabbe was part of a group of 30 who were named or reappointed for the next term, which begins August 11.

Elkhorn Slough Foundation Receives $3.9 Million Grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has been awarded a $3,940,734 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The coastal restoration funds were included in the Recovery Act, which was signed into law in February.
“Funds from the Recovery Act continue to flow into communities throughout the nation, injecting needed capital into economies and creating jobs for local residents,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). “As with all the other projects that we’ve seen locally, this project will save local jobs and pump more money into our ailing economy.”
The Elkhorn Slough grant will provide long-term protection and erosion control for seven acres of tidal wetlands and protect critical coastal infrastructure. The selection of projects was a highly competitive process and evaluated a variety of biological and economic criteria.
California will see nine NOAA projects funded for a total of more than $31 million. These projects are expected to create 190 jobs statewide. Nationwide, 50 coastal restoration grants were awarded for a total of $167 million
"These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “They reflect our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies.”
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco added: “NOAA is investing in green jobs for Americans to restore habitat for valuable fish and wildlife and strengthen coastal communities, making them more resilient to storms, sea-level rise and other effects of climate change. In addition to the immediate jobs created by the projects, stronger and healthier coastal communities will boost our nation’s long-term economic health.”