Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Skagit Democrats Gala



Last Saturday 220 Skagit County Democrats packed the the Cotton Tree Convention Center  singing the Pete Seger classic "If I Had a Hammer" accompanied by a smooth Jazz trio - violin, guitar and keyboard.  About a dozen local chapters of various national and local labor unions were represented at the Gala as well as the Swinomish Tribal Community and our Latino Outreach Committee.

The dinner featured local produce which was exceptionally fresh and flavorful.  Never knew red potatoes could be so good.  A delicately dressed curly kale salad was unique and just the right accent for the beef noodle and chicken main courses. 

After the silent auction and dinner,  Chairman David Goehring introduced King County Councilman Bob Ferguson (pictured right) , who is actively campaigning to succeed Republican Rob McKenna as Attorney General of Washington State. 

To hearty cheers at the Gala, Ferguson promised that if elected he would withdraw WA from the Republican lawsuit A.G. McKenna joined against President Obama’s new health-care legislation. 

The Keynote Speaker was US Congressman Jay Inslee's (below left) , who represents WA 1st Congressional District.  Inslee now serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee because he believes a clean energy economy can create jobs.  As one example Jay cited the Stimulus money spent on lithium ion batteries.  These high tech batteries will be manufactured in Holland MI and employ laid off auto workers.  Jay has worked to get funding for this and other clean energy technology projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  According to Jay: “It is real clear that there is going to be a huge market for clean energy. We want to make sure that those jobs and those products are created in America. Now, if we do what Darrell [Issa]wants to do, which is to not act for another 10 or 20 years, China is going to eat our lunch. Good jobs are going to go to China.”  (Darrell Issa is a California Republican Congressman in control of the US House Oversight Committee.  As Chairman Darrell Issa has chosen to work closely with the oil industry).   Congressman Jay Inslee reports that the GOP members of congress have not passed one bill that will create jobs.  

No comments:

Post a Comment