We Go to Washington, Bring Skateboards, Make History
ASEC Testifies Before Senate, Meets With Congressional Members on Global Warming
Washington, DC – June 5, 2007 – World class skateboarder Bob Burnquist became a part of American history as the first person to bring a skateboard into the U.S. Capitol building in its 214 year history. Burnquist, joined by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), was on his way to the Senate dining room for lunch with fellow members of the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC). The ASEC crowd – consisting of ASEC Founder Frank Scura; former pro snowboarder Circe Wallace; X-Games winner Jen O’Brien; and Scott A. Murray, director of the ASEC / Toyota Bob Burnquist Global Cooling Challenge – was in Washington to support Tom Campion, ASEC member and founder of top retail chain Zumiez, who testified before the full Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. Campion was invited to discuss the impact of climate change on the winter sports industry and the importance of youth education to solving the problem.
“The Action Sports Environmental Coalition is proud to have had the opportunity to brief the Senate on our understanding of how climate change is affecting the outdoor industry,” Campion said. “As athletes, we’re outdoors everyday – in the air, the water, on the snow and under the sun. So we’re intimately aware of the changing conditions of this planet.”
With a focus on testimony from leaders in the outdoor recreation industry, the May 24 committee hearing was attended by several Senate Members, including Chairman Boxer, Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bernard Sanders (I-VT). Following the hearing, ASEC Members were invited to lunch as honored guests of Senator Boxer in the Senate Dining Room for further discussion of the issues. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) stopped by the lunch to express her support.
ASEC Executive Director Frank Scura said: “I believe this introduction to Capitol Hill was the beginning of long-overdue conversation that our industry should be having with the lawmakers of our nation. I am inspired by Tom’s testimony, and – even more importantly – I am filled with hope.”
Regarding his historical feat, Burnquist remarked: “Going to Washington, DC as a skateboarder and citizen was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve ever had. I was proud to be able to bring awareness to what ASEC is doing and to be behind one of our own, Tom Campion. I was energized by the experience and I hope its not the last time that I get to support the cause by making a trip out to Capitol Hill – with or without my skateboard.”
