NRCM co-sponsored this year’s Edmund S. Muskie Lecture at Bates College on Wednesday night. The lecture was given by former Maine Governor Angus King, with an introduction by Brownie Carson, NRCM’s executive director.
I was very excited to attend this event, and I got to bring Marshall Burk with me — NRCM’s first-ever paid staff member. All the way over to the lecture, Marshall told me stories of the early days of NRCM, with late night meetings, legislative updates, wonderful volunteers, and his experience working for this great organization.
I learned a lot on the ride over to Bates, and also while listening to Governor King talk about his early experiences with NRCM and his interactions with Ed Muskie in Washington. He talked about leadership qualities, and often related them to the work and character of Senator Muskie. He told stories of his experiences in Washington and of his conversations with Muskie – many of which were very humorous!
He also spoke of all that was involved to create and pass the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act – and how Japan’s Clean Air Act is actually called “The Muskie Law.” That made me so proud to be a Mainer!
The evening was wonderful, and I am so glad I was able to attend. The “50 Events for 50 Years” that NRCM is putting together to celebrate our 50th anniversary continue to excite me. I have found all of the events that I have attended so far to be interesting, engaging, and dare I say it — “FUN!”
—Beth Comeau, NRCM Communications Manager
