NEMWI Co-Hosts Annual Congressional Reception for Great Lakes Day
The Northeast-Midwest Institute (NEMWI) and the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) co-hosted the annual Great Lakes Day Congressional Reception last week in conjunction with Great Lakes Day in Washington. Attendance this year included hundreds of Great Lakes stakeholders, advocates, and enthusiasts, all looking for ways to help advance federal public policy aimed at improving the health of the Great Lakes region. While typically the Reception is an in-person breakfast event held in the Congressional complex, this year’s event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants at the Reception included the leadership of the House and Senate Great Lakes Task Force (GLTF). Speakers included Senate GLTF Co-Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senate GLTF Vice-Chair Todd Young (R-IN), and House GLTF Co-Chairs Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and David Joyce (R-OH). Their remarks focused on recent legislative victories, including extending and increasing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), authorizing the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project, and the passage of other important bills impacting water policy, while also focusing on key upcoming legislative opportunities, including a potential large infrastructure package. Also addressing the audience was Member of Parliament Vance Badawey (Lib-Ontario) who provided insights into a newly formed Great Lakes legislative caucus in the Canadian Parliament.
Additionally, key Great Lakes advocacy organizations released a shared priorities list for the Great Lakes region for Great Lakes Day. This document, which has been issued annually, outlines policy goals to build a better Great Lakes basin through equitable restoration, revitalization, and resilience, and serves as a key advocacy guide and tool for Great Lakes Day. The 2021 shared Great Lakes priorities are endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, American Great Lakes Ports Association, and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus.
The program from this year’s Congressional Reception for Great Lakes Day can be viewed here.
Follow the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Facebook
LIKE us on Facebook! The Northeast-Midwest Institute is on Facebook with new updates and information on its regional research and policy education program and with announcements for upcoming briefings and events. NEMWI is posting our research reports on current regional issues and ongoing policy education on the page to make keeping up with our policy work easier than ever. The Institute also is updating the page with announcements of upcoming policy briefings and webinars. NEMWI is excited for the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible on our Facebook page.
Please check out our Facebook page here. And be sure to LIKE us to begin following NEMWI on Facebook!
