Is Sen. Rockefeller fighting for West Virginia tourism, too?

by: Clem Guttata

Wed Jul 22, 2009 at 14:27:00 PM EDT

If you are one of the over 73,000 West Virginians who work in Leisure and Hospitality, you should ask Sen. Rockefeller if he supports you, too.

Sen. Rockefeller recently issued a statement about fighting for the future of coal and jobs in West Virginia. It's only reasonable he should issue a similar statement about the future of tourism and jobs in West Virginia.

To help out his office, here's a first draft:

(A press release we'd like to see.)

ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IN WEST VIRGINIA

Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of tourism and jobs in West Virginia:

"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of tourism and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Global climate change is a grave threat to the planet, but our great country can rise to this challenge. People in the rest of the country need to know how dependent they are on the restorative effects of clean West Virginia mountain air and clean West Virginia mountain water. There's nothing like a visit to Wild, Wonderful, West "by God" Virginia to soothe the soul."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.

It's time for West Virginia to prepare for the future, not to cling to the past. Coal is just one of many resources in West Virginia, let's take advantage of everything the state has to offer.

Update: Despite constituent pleas Sen. Rockefeller continues to "fight." An anonymous staffer confidentially disclosed: it may or may not be due to decades of being introduced to the "Rocky" theme, that's just who the Senator is.

Contact Sen. Rockefeller today:

* Remind him climate change is already happening--West Virginia is warming--and, it is worse than we previously thought. He needs to act responsibly for our future.

* Tell him you want a climate bill that aggressively addresses climate change by building a green energy economy--not one that prolongs coal with very expensive unproven CCS technology.

* Let him know the people of West Virginia need a hand-up for clean energy jobs, not another hand-out for the coal industry.

How to contact Sen. Rockefeller

Web
- Congressional website
- Email (via form).

Offices
- Rockefeller's DC Office:

  531 Hart Senate Office Building
  Washington, D.C., 20510
  Phone: 202-224-6472
  Fax: 202-224-7665

- Rockefeller's WV Offices:

  220 North Kanawha Street
  Suite 1
  Beckley, WV 25801-4514
  Phone: 304-253-9704
  Fax: 304-253-2578

  405 Capitol Street
  Suite 508
  Charleston, WV 25301-1749
  Phone: 304-347-5372
  Fax: 304-347-5371

  118 Adams Street
  Suite 301
  Fairmont, WV 26554-2841
  Phone: 304-367-0122
  Fax: 304-367-0822

  217 West King Street
  Suite 307
  Martinsburg, WV 25401-3211