Congressman Larsen Gets Tattoo for San Juans
Campaign to Protect Federal Land on the Islands Gets Support from Strong Champion
Everett – This Friday, Congressman Rick Larson was the latest Washingtonian to get a tattoo to show his support for the San Juan Islands National Monument. Larsen has been a strong advocate for protecting almost 1,000 acres of federal land in the San Juans, authoring a bill that would protect this land as a conservation area. After facing gridlock in Congress, Larsen is now urging President Obama to declare the land as a National Monument.
Hundreds of temporary tattoos, designed by Marcus Justiss of Art of Design Tattoo in Friday Harbor, were distributed to protect 1,000 acres of federally owned Bureau of Land Management land. Senator Maria Cantwell’s recent press conference statement expressing she had done everything but “get a tattoo” for the San Juan Islands National Monument inspired citizens everywhere to take that step. Including Rep. Larsen.
“The San Juan Islands should be preserved for not only residents and visitors today, but for future generations,” said Larsen. “I know how important this demonstration of grassroots support will be to make the case for a National Monument. I commend Environment Washington for their leadership and look forward to continue working to secure the permanent protection of these special lands.”
This week, Environment Washington has collected hundreds of photos of people sporting a temporary tattoo in support of the national monument. Citizens from Bellingham to Olympia participated in this campaign.
“The San Juans are one of Washington’s treasures, but the federal land on the islands does not have the protecting it deserves,” said Robb Krehbiel, Program Associate with Environment Washington. “Rep. Larsen has been a strong and tireless advocate for protecting these federal lands. We are thrilled that he has joined us and hundreds of Washingtonians by ‘inking’ his support for the San Juan Islands National Monument.”
Organizers are urging President Obama to officially act on the national monument designation by the end of this year.
###
Environment Washington is a statewide, citizen-based advocacy organization dedicated to clean air, clean water, and open space. For more information, please visit www.environmentwashington.org
