Dec 16, 2024
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NRPE Celebrates Francis Perkins National Monument Designation
On December 16, President Biden designated the Frances Perkins National Monument, one of the few national monuments dedicated to women's history. Francis Perkins was the first woman to serve in a U.S. Presidential cabinet as the first female Secretary of Labor. As the mastermind behind the New Deal, Perkins pushed for the 40-hour work week, minimum wage, unemployment compensation, workers compensation, Social Security and the abolition of child labor. The national monument is set to include her full story, not just her incredible accomplishments but her troubling lack of awareness about the adverse impacts that racism and segregation had on Black Americans. The Perkins National Monument, the site of her childhood home, reminds us of the ideals we strive for every day and the society that we hope to build.
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July 10, 2024 |
Black Church Leaders Support Pollution Standards and Climate Change ActionClose to 4,000 Black Church leaders including Senior Bishops sent a letter to the Biden Administration and Congress urging strong and bold action on pollution. "The public health and environmental impacts of pollution that comes from fossil-fuel-fired power plants and cars have long hurt Black communities in America first and worst,” they stated. "The EPA must implement robust pollution and air quality standards and Congress must abide by these standards, ensuring that the breadth of life flows freely through every community."
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Oct 11, 2024
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Faith Organizations Celebrate Establishment of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
On October 11, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration designated the 3rd largest and 17th national marine sanctuary, along 116 miles of California's central coast. It is the first Indigenous-nominated sanctuary, and protects the sacred waters of the Chumash people. The sanctuary sets an important precedent for elevating Indigenous perspectives, cultural values in ocean conservation, and collaborative management that includes all Central Coast Tribes. Stewardship of public land and waters, preservation of our historic and cultural heritage and striving for justice is an important part of our role as caretakers.
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