Justice Employees Celebrate Earth Day with Community Service

By Tracy Russo

Today, the Environment and Natural Resources Division celebrated Earth Day at a community service event at the new Marvin Gaye Community Greening Center in Washington, D.C.

Deputy Attorney General James Cole and Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno joined volunteers, community leaders, and the D.C- based Washington Parks and People organization to begin work on the neighborhood-based nursery for plants and an environmental education resource center.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Attorney General Cole stated:

“Earth Day is a reminder to all of us at the Department that we serve not only to protect the people of our country, but also its natural resources such as our lands, waters, air and wildlife, and the tremendous work of the Environment Division is essential to that mission.  The Division has contributed its expertise and hard work in a number of key areas, including the government’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and oil spill, important tribal matters and our overall efforts in advancing environmental justice, and I am grateful for their continued dedication.”

Assistant Attorney General Moreno said:

“I am proud of the meaningful results that we have achieved for the benefit of the American people over the past year.  In our work, we have not forgotten vulnerable communities and have taken concrete steps to make environmental justice a reality.”

This year marks the eighth consecutive Earth Day service celebration at Marvin Gaye Park.  In the last seven years, ENRD has devoted over 5,000 hours of employee time to planting trees, removing trash, laying sod and gardening.

The event also featured brief remarks by Steve Coleman, Director and President of Washington Parks and People and Lisa A. Hayes, Director of Development and Senior Counsel at the American Constitution Society of Law and Policy.  Ms. Hayes is the daughter of Earth Day Network founder Denis Hayes, who coordinated the first Earth Day in 1970.