The Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Great Lakes Commission co-hosted the annual Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast Reception on Thursday, March 5th, on Capitol Hill. The Breakfast is an opportunity for Great Lakes stakeholders to hear from their Representatives and Senators about critical Great Lakes issues, and it leads into the outreach and advocacy efforts on Great Lakes Day. This year, nine Representatives, six Senators, and two Canadian Members of Parliament addressed the Breakfast. Speakers represented both parties and communities from all across the Great Lakes basin.
Many speakers at the Summit highlighted the importance of multinational cooperation in protecting the Great Lakes. United States and Canadian speakers alike told stories of cross-border partnerships that contribute to a flourishing environment and economy in both countries around the lakes. Speakers also talked about the need to reauthorize the GLRI to build on recent successes in restoration such as the delisting of Muskegon Lake. Shipping and ship building were also major topics of discussion.
Speakers at this year’s Congressional Breakfast, listed in order of their remarks, included: Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), MP Terry Duguid, Canadian Sen. Jim Quinn, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH).