Who's Pledging to Go Veg

California

Assemblymember Das Williams now represents the Central Coast district where he grew up, the 35th Assembly District. A product of both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, he is a proven leader on education, environmental and animal protection issues. He is currently serving his first-term in the State Assembly, and most recently served on the Santa Barbara City Council.

I'm always trying to reduce my meat intake because of the pollution and environmental concerns associated with the meat and poultry industries. This is only one way people can make their contribution to the environment, by choosing cruelty-free sources of food. I am proud to support the efforts of Compassion Over Killing in raising awareness of the multiple benefits of eating vegetarian.

Lu Parker is an actress, author, former Miss USA, former teacher, and award-winning journalist, reporting the news in Los Angeles on KTLA. She recently received a Genesis Award for her outstanding reporting and creative portrayals of animal protection issues, and in 2010, she created the Lu Parker Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless animals and at risk teenagers. A vegetarian for over 24 years, she is encouraging others to choose vegetarian foods as part of California VegWeek.

Pedro Nava served in the California State Assembly representing the 35th district, which includes Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, from 2004-2010. While in the Assembly, he demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety, consumer protection and the environment, and was a leader on animal cruelty legislation, authoring several animal cruelty bills. Nava was named Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on California's Green Economy, and also served as a charter member of the California legislative animal protection caucus.

It's an honor to again have the opportunity to be a part of such an important event. Eating vegetarian for a week is a great way for those of us who aren't full-time vegetarian to make a difference, improve our diet and help the planet. After participating the last time, my wife and I eat many more vegetarian meals and we have come to enjoy the experience.

Assemblymember Betsy Butler represents California’s 53rd district, which includes many of the coastal communities south of Los Angeles. Prior to her election to the Assembly in November 2010, she was a board member of Equality California, and a former president of the National Women's Political Caucus (LA Westside Chapter). Ams. Butler is committed to fighting for equality and fairness for all, and continues to pursue that commitment in the legislature.

DC

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner John Salatti represents part of the Bloomingdale community in Washington, DC, helping his neighbors address issues they may have regarding city services, neighborhood safety, economic development, as well as starting initatives to help make Bloomingdale a better place. When not working on behalf of his neighbors, John Salatti runs a company called LAWriters that teaches people how to write more effectively.

Ethically, I cannot justify eating meat because of the cruel ways the vast majority of animals raised for meat are treated. Environmentally, I cannot justify eating meat because animals raised for meat cause some of the greatest and most widespread damage to water and land in addition to contributing to climate change. Physically, I cannot justify eating meat because the vegetarian diet is almost always healtheir than a meat-based diet. We just do not have to eat meat to have a healthy and enjoyable life. Vegetarian eating is not a sacrifice. Great vegetarian meals are readily available.

Maryland

Delegate Aruna Miller represents District 15, Maryland's largest district, which includes Gaithersburg, Rockville, and much of Montgomery County. Del. Miller chairs Serving Our Communities (SOC), an initiative to strengthen communities with volunteers to promote core Democratic values such as healthcare, education, and protection of our environment. As a long-time vegetarian, Del. Miller is encouraging friends, family, and neighbors in District 15 to join her for the week.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards represents Maryland's 4th Congressional District, comprising portions of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. Just prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Edwards worked to improve both labor and human rights both nationally and internationally.

I look forward to participating in VegWeek again this year to highlight the positive impact vegetarian choices have on the environment, small businesses and local farmers, and also for the important benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I am proud to play a part in this effort to encourage healthy living while supporting the hardworking suppliers of vegetarian options in Maryland.

Senator Jamie Raskin is represents District 20 in the Maryland State Senate, which includes Silver Spring and Takoma Park. In the 2010 legislative session, Sen. Raskin scored 100%+ on Maryland Votes for Animals' Humane Scorecard. Pledging to go vegetarian for VegWeek in 2009 and 2010, Raskin is renewing his pledge and encouraging others to take one week to explore vegetarian eating as a way to protect their health, the environment, and animals.

Delegate Tom Hucker (D-20) serves on the House Economic Matters Committee, and its 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 such as a ban on cruel leghold traps in Mont. County. A long-time community organizer, he has passed legislation to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and further protect the civil rights of all Marylanders. In the 2010 legislative session, Del. Hucker scored 100%+ on Maryland Votes for Animals' Humane Scorecard. This is Del. Hucker's third year participating in VegWeek--and this year he's joined by his entire legislative staff: Dave Kunes, Emily Koechlin, and Kevin Gillogly.

Montgomery County Council President Valerie Ervin represents District 5, which includes Kensington, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Wheaton. She is an advocate for the interests of working families and improving the lives of children, is committed to making sure that children have proper nutrition, and advocates for community gardens by spearheading a pilot program with the Parks Department. Councilmember Ervin is committed to working at the local and state level to improve the environment and is part of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit organization created to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Votes for Animals (MVFA) is a Political Action Committee with one overriding mission: To create an ever-growing voting bloc of animal advocates who will elect representatives willing to champion and vote for animal protection legislation, and to hold politicians accountable to their constituents. All seven board members are pledging to go veg during Maryland VegWeek as an extension of their mission to protect animals and the environment: Carolyn Kilborn, Valerie Pringle, Kimberly Jackson, Lynn Hopkins, Kathy Kirschnner, Joseph Lamp, and Sara Poulin.

Executive Director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Eric Bernard has been an active firefighter and EMT continuously for the past twenty-three years. He has worked in the federal government consulting on various public safety and life safety issues and provided testimony before several governmental bodies, panels and councils and is also an adjunct professor of forensic science at the George Washington University.This is his second year participating in Maryland VegWeek!

Delegate Jon S. Cardin is in the fourth year of his second term representing the 11th District of Northwest Baltimore County in the Maryland House of Delegates. Delegate Cardin has served as Chairman of the Election Law subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee since 2007. The Ways and Means committee areas of jurisdiction include gaming, taxes, children & youth, education, and election reform. He previously served on the Tax & Revenue and Education subcommittees. The Delegate focuses his legislative agenda on election law, the tax code, education reform and environmental policy. In the 2010 legislative session, Del. Cardin scored 100%+ on Maryland Votes for Animals' Humane Scorecard.

Delegate Dan Morhaim, M.D. (D-11) was first elected to the Maryland General Assembly in 1994 and re-elected in 1998, 2002, and 2006 to represent the 11th District in the House of Delegates. He has several assigments in the legislature: he is the Deputy Majority Leader, he serves on the Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee, he is the Chair on the subcommittee on Government Operations, he is the House Chair of the Joint House-Senate Committee on Health Care Delivery and Finance and he also serves on the Administrative Executive Legislative Review (AELR) Committee. In the 2010 legislative session, Del. Morhaim scored 100% on Maryland Votes for Animals' Humane Scorecard.

Delegate Shane Robinson represents the 39th district, a horse-shoe district surrounding Gaithersburg, MD. Before starting his career as a Maryland Delegate, Shane and his wife served in the Peace Corps in Zambia, working extensively with neighborhood health committees to improve the quality of health care in the area. He's also a Senior Associate at Coulter Nonprofit Management, working with clients involved in health, education, and smart urban development.

I became a vegetarian a number of years ago because of my concerns with factory farming and a desire to decrease my carbon footprint. Now it's a way of life and I can't imagine going back. As a new Delegate, I look forward to working to pass legislation that promotes the humane treatment of animals.

Delegate Jim Gilchrist represents Maryland's 17th district, including the Rockville and Gaithersburg areas. He sits on the joint committee on Children, Youth, and Families and the Environmental Matters Committee. Before entering the House of Delegates, Del. Jim Gilchrist chaired the Alliance of Rockville Neighborhood Associations and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International. This is Del. Gilchrist's second year pledging to go veg as part of Maryland VegWeek.

Virginia

Delegate Patrick Hope represents Virginia's 47th District, which includes much of Arlington County. Del. Hope 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.

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 David Englin represents Virginia's 45th district, comprising of parts of Arlington and Alexandria. Del. Englin serves on both the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee and the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee. He's been awarded numerous times for his environmental initiatives, and has worked against harmful pollution from the Mirant Plant, for equal rights, reproductive rights, and voting rights, and lower health care costs for families and businesses.

I want my son's generation to be able to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and grow up healthy and strong in a world free from the threat of global warming and destructive climate change. I'm pleased to support and participate in the 1st Annual Virginia VegWeek, because if every American ate vegetarian just one day a week, it would be equivalent to taking eight million cars off the road. It's an easy, healthy way to protect our future.

As a Candidate for the Virginia House of Delegate's 49th District, Stephanie Clifford is dedicated to helping make Northern Virginia a better place. The health of the environment, of the citizens of Arlington, and the economy are key issues in Stephanie's campaign. As a long-time vegetarian, Candidate Clifford is participating in the first-ever Virginia VegWeek by pledging to choose meat-, egg-, and dairy-free foods for the week.

Ingrid Morroy was elected Arlington Commissioner of Revenue in 2003. Born in Holland and raised in Suriname (South America), Ingrid moved to Arlington in 1978 and has worked in public service for over 15 years. She's a member of the League of Women Voters, Leadership Arlington, and the NAACP. Ingrid can be heard frequently at local music events with her band, The Constituents.

I'm excited to participate in Virginia VegWeek and as a long-time vegetarian, I pledge to go vegan for a week. It's a small sacrifice we can all make to help end animal abuse, reduce greenhouse gases and improve our health.

Clerck of the Circuit Court, Paul Ferguson, went to high school, college, and law school in Northern Virginia, and is committed to helping make Arlington County a beautiful place to live. A dedicated environmentalist, he championed Arlington's Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE) and is the Board Chairman for EarthCraft Virginia, a non-profit organization providing consulting and certification for energy efficient homes. Paul Ferguson is pledging to choose meat-, egg-, and dairy-free foods during Virginia VegWeek.

If you like animals, want to help the environment, and have a healtheir diet, not eating meat or eating less meat is something you should consider.

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