On April 14 the whole SkyTruth posse headed into Washington DC and invaded the National Press Club. We were there to receive the 2014 Jean and Leslie Douglas Pearl Award, bestowed annually by the Cornell Douglas Foundation on four individuals or organizations “who are dedicated to improving the lives of others and to providing a sustainable earth for future generations.”

We are humbled to be among the recipients who have blazed new trails in protecting human health and the environment, including our fellow Mountaineers, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.  And we are grateful to the Foundation for their support of our work and mission.

I’m especially grateful to Ann Cornell and her siblings for making us feel like part of the family at this celebration of their parents Jean and Leslie.  As I said in my acceptance remarks, thanks are due to the parents and other adults who teach our children the importance of a healthy, functioning environment to our health, security and wellbeing.

Bravo, Jean and Leslie.