Last Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Save Our Wild Salmon sponsored a cocktail reception and screening of the documentary short film “The Greatest Migration” on Capitol Hill. The film features the miraculous story of high-altitude Snake River salmon and the race to save them. Joining us were more than 150 House and Senate staff, supporting conservation and fishing organizations, and others to enjoy some great dialogue regarding the future of these iconic fish while appreciating some delicious smoked wild salmon from Jensen’s Smokehouse.
With stellar attendance, this event couldn’t have gone better and we were overwhelmed by the vocal support we received from so many staffers. One staffer even enthusiastically let us know that, “This is the only reception I come to all year.” Aw, thanks!
Unfortunately, due to an unanticipated caucus meeting, our congressional champions were unable to personally attend. However, Melanie Rhinehart VanTassell, legislative director for Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), made a statement on the Congressman’s behalf. She referenced the Wild Salmon Caucus, of which Thompson is a co-chair, and connected the Columbia-Snake River to other West Coast salmon watersheds that are also struggling to recover healthy salmon stocks.
While one of the primary functions of the reception was to screen "The Greatest Migration," it was also a wonderful opportunity to remind our DC-based colleagues and supporters of why salmon are so critically important, and about some of the very serious threats they are currently facing.
Many thanks to our organizers and to our event co-sponsors:
American Rivers, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Endangered Species Coalition, Idaho Rivers United, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, NW Energy Coalition, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Sierra Club, and Trout Unlimited.
And a huge thank you to our honorary co-hosts, Congressmen Jim McDermott, Mike Thompson, and Raul Grijalva.
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