Look Who’s Taking Our 7-Day VegPledge!

Raúl M. Grijalva, Arizona Congressman

“No matter what you believe in, respect for animals is an important part of being human. More humane treatment of domestic and wild animals has been a focus of my public policy career, and I’m proud to participate in US VegWeek to raise awareness and help spread the word.”

Congressman Grijalva represents the citizens in Congressional District 3. He is a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, where he has been appointed Ranking Member of the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee, which oversees 600 million acres of federal land. As Chairman of the Subcommittee in the 111th Congress, he played the leading role in creating a permanent National Landscape Conservation System within the Department of the Interior and fought successfully to address the maintenance funding shortfall of American public lands. He has shown his commitment to a clean environment through his service as Co-Chair of the CPC, Co-Chair of the National Landscape Conservation System Caucus, and his membership in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. He is a supporter of the Green Scissors plan to cut $200 billion in government subsidies to industries such as coal, oil, gas and timber.

Ted Lieu, California Senator

“Healthier living is an idea that sells itself and leads to longer lives and an improved quality of life. As a state policymaker, and father of two, I enthusiastically encourage everyone to participate in US VegWeek by treating themselves to more fresh fruits and vegetables that can lead to a longer, healthier life – and lifestyle.”

Senator Ted Lieu, who dutifully aims to represent “those without a voice,” took the 7-Day Veg Pledge in 2010 when Compassion Over Killing launched VegWeek in Los Angeles, and has pledged every year since then. Lieu represents California’s 28th District, and previously served on the Torrance City Council, then the state Assembly and, in February 2011, was elected to the California State Senate. Lieu has been a leader in the legislature on animal and environmental issues.

Das Williams, California Assemblymember

“We all need to do our part to reduce our negative impacts on the environment. Even if some people cannot bring themselves to give up meat entirely, it is still possible to reduce pollution and protect the environment by eating less meat.”

Assemblymember Das Williams represents the California’s 35th District, and is dedicated to the protection of the environment. He has spearheaded the successful effort to pass some of the toughest energy efficiency standards in the state, has been leader in the effort to stop off-shore oil drilling, protected the coast and local water supplies by working to restore local creeks and wetlands, and fought to preserve open space.

Jamie Raskin, Maryland Senator

“US VegWeek rocks! Thanks to Compassion Over Killing for raising the consciousness of the whole community with such creative events and organizing. See you there!”

Senator Jamie Raskin represents District 20 in the Maryland State Senate, which includes Silver Spring and Takoma Park. He helped inspire the VegWeek campaign in 2009, and has pledged every year since to encourage others to take one week to explore vegetarian eating as a way to protect their health, the environment, and animals.

Josh Cohen, Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland

A lifelong Annapolitan, Mayor Cohen is dedicated to protecting the character and quality of life in the Annapolis community. He is committed to protecting our environment and has pushed for stringent new environmental protections for Maryland waterways.

Mayor Cohen’s entire family—including his wife, Lesley, and both his daughters, Naomi and Tessa—are all participating in US VegWeek 2013!

Tom Hucker, Maryland State Delegate

Delegate Tom Hucker represents District 20 and serves on the House Economic Matters Committee as well as the Consumer Protection & Commercial Law Subcommittee. He is the lead sponsor of legislation to ban the use of arsenic in chicken feed in Maryland and has sponsored other animal-protection bills. This is Del. Hucker’s fourth year participating in VegWeek-and this year he’s joined by his staff member, Dave Kunes.

Dan Morhaim, Maryland State Delegate

“As the only physician in the Maryland General Assembly, I know the importance of eating a vegetarian diet in decreasing ones risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and a variety of cancers. I am excited to participate in US VegWeek 2013 and explore the wide-variety of meat-free, local foods available to Marylanders. I encourage my constituents to join me in this effort to eat sustainably. Let’s Veg-out!”

Delegate Morhaim was first elected to the Maryland General Assembly in 1994 and re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 to represent the 11th District of northwest Baltimore County in the House of Delegates. The only physician in the 188-member Maryland legislature, Morhaim has over 30 years front-line clinical experience treating patients in emergency medicine and internal medicine. Morhaim also serves on the faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Maryland Medical School. He also serves on the Board of the Baltimore Humane Society.

Ike Leggett, Montgomery County, Maryland Executive

“I am happy to participate in US VegWeek 2013. I have been mostly vegetarian for close to 25 years. It is a very healthy way to go.”

From his roots in the hardscrabble poverty of then-segregated Louisiana, Ike Leggett has built a record of public service marked by conviction to principle, leadership, and a willingness to take on tough fights and make hard choices.

In 2006, Leggett won the Democratic Party primary for County Executive by 61 percent of the vote. Then, in November of that same year, he was elected the First African American County Executive, winning more than 67 percent of the ballots cast in a three-way race.

As County Executive, Leggett has focused on making sure that every part of an ever-more-diverse Montgomery County has a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Valerie Ervin, Montgomery County, Maryland Councilmember

Valerie Ervin represents Montgomery County, Maryland’s District 5. She is an advocate for the interests of working families and improving the lives of children, is committed to ensuring children have proper nutrition, and advocates for community gardens. This is now her fourth year in a row participating in VegWeek!

Bruce Williams, Mayor of Takoma Park, Maryland

Last year, Mayor Williams signed a Proclamation officially dedicating April 23-29 as VegWeek 2012 (read the Proclamation). To further show the city’s support for this effort, he, along with several other members of the council, took the 7-Day VegPledge, a commitment he is happy to make again this year.

Kay Daniels-Cohen, Takoma Park, Maryland Councilmember

“I invite Compassion Over Killing to come to a Council Meeting before US VegWeek 2013 to see how many Council Members you can encourage to pledge! I am not a pure vegetarian but I love to support you, and pledging was quite fun and challenging last year.”

With a degree in physical education from the University of Maryland, Daniels-Cohen has had a successful career in health, physical education and recreation instruction, coaching and management. She also owns GlenTech, a consulting firm based in Takoma Park and focused on improving business management, training and marketing. Daniels-Cohen’s commitment to the citizens of Takoma Park is evident by her continued energetic support and care for her neighbors and community. She was named Activist of the Year 2009 by the Takoma Foundation and The Takoma Voice for contributions to better the quality of life for Takoma Park residents and outstanding civic leadership.

Terry Seamens, Takoma Park, Maryland Councilmember

“I’m happy to again take the VegWeek pledge to highlight the health benefits of a vegetarian diet, and help draw attention to the food needs of our more vulnerable neighbors.”

Terry Seamens represents the residents of Takoma Park’s Ward 4. He has an extensive professional background in information technology, and is a passionate advocate for working families, seniors, and disabled community members.

Eric Olson, Prince George's County, Maryland Councilmember

“I’m taking the VegPledge because I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. Whether one is drawn to a vegetarian diet for health, environmental, animal welfare, religious, or other reasons, one thing is sure - there are incredible vegetarian meals of many cultures to explore!”

Council Member Olson represents District 3 and has been focused on supporting the public education system, increasing opportunities for young people and addressing the root causes of crime, and strengthening our environment. This is his first year taking the Veg Pledge, but he has been vegetarian for 22 years.

Patrick Hope, Virginia Delegate

“In an effort to call attention to the health benefits, I pledge to go vegetarian for a week. Just limiting your intake of meat will lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart attack and many cancers. I look forward to this challenge and the healthy benefits that will result.”

Delegate Hope represents Virginia’s 47th District, which includes much of Arlington County. He sits on the Virginia House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee and has received several awards for his service to the community, including the ARC of Northern Virginia “You Are the Change” award and was named “Legislative Hero” by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

Ingrid H. Morroy, Arlington, Virginia Commissioner of Revenue

“I became a vegetarian in 1980. Firstly, I believe that it is immoral to kill another being for no other reason than to feed ourselves. Secondly, there is no proof that I must sustain myself with protein or other nutrients that have traveled through the digestive system of an animal. In addition, by not eating meat nor fish I am able to keep chemicals such as growth hormone and mercury out of my system. And thirdly, it is important to me that I make my carbon footprint as small as possible. By avoiding meat and fish I do my small part in avoiding environmental pollution. During US VegWeek, I pledge to follow a vegan lifestyle.”

Ingrid Morroy was elected Arlington Commissioner of Revenue in November 2003, and took office on January 1, 2004. Before her election, Ingrid served as Arlington Deputy Treasurer for eight years. She has nearly twenty years of public and private sector management experience in the areas of public finance, international and domestic banking, small business lending, and human resources. Born in Holland, raised in Suriname (South America), Ingrid speaks six languages, including Spanish.