SPECIAL TO THE ONE FEATHER
Mary W. Thompson (2nd from left) is shown meeting with Sen. KayHagan (D-NC) during a recent visit to Washingon. Also pictured are EBCI tribal members Camryn Kazhe (left), Billie Jo Rich (2nd from left) and Sage Dunston (right) who also serves as Sen. Hagan’s staff assistant. (Photo courtesy of Mary W. Thompson)
WASHINGTON – Mary W. Thompson, an EBCI tribal member, is currently serving her second term on the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Council (NARC&DC). She was elected to an ‘At Large’ position representing the underserved population and serves on the local SW North Carolina RC&D Council which is made up of Council members from the surrounding seven counties and the Tribe.
The National Association is working to increase Council participation with underserved groups, including minorities, tribes, youth and other economically or socially disadvantaged individuals.
A quarterly board meeting was held on Feb. 2728 in Washington, DC, followed by a leadership forum and lobbying efforts on March 1-3.
“It was especially nice to meet with Senator Hagan and staff assistant Sage A. Dunston during a ‘Carolina Coffee’ on Wednesday morning,” said Thompson. “It was my honor to present Senator Hagan with an 18th Century reproduction piece of pottery. Sage then took Billie Jo and Camryn on a tour of the Capitol Building. Camryn, a third grader at Smoky Mountain Elementary School, was especially impressed with all the native imagery used in art and statues throughout our nation’s capitol.”
Thompson’s appointments and meetings during that time included meeting with the following:
– Congressman Walter Jones and Legislative Analyst Bradley Rion
– Tim Nelson, Legislative Director for Congressman Jim Marshall (Ga.)
– Emily Lynch, Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
– Jack Thompson, Legislative Dir. For Congressman Rodney Alexander (LA)
– Meg Gilley, Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Jack Kingston (GA)
– Congressman Larry Kissell and staffer Dusty Holly
– Lee Lilley, Legislative Assistant to Congressman G.K. Butterfield
– Congressman David Price and Maile Mercer, Legislative Assistant
– Congressman Howard Coble and assistant Whitham
– Congressman Brad Miller and Ag staffer Brandi Dillingham
– Congressman Patrick McHenry and Legislative Assistant Jensen
– Congressman Heath Shuler and Legislative Assistant Ryan Fitzpatrick
– Perrin Cooke Legislative Assistant to Senator Kay Hagan
– Nathan Sermonis Legislative Assistant to Eric Massa (NY)
Thompson further commented, “A special thanks to the Executive Offices and Wilson Pipestem for all their assistance to the Senate and House representatives for their support of resource conservation and development programs, locally and nationally.”
The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) was established in 1988 to represent America’s 375 local Resource Conservation and Development Councils. The local councils deliver coordinated resource conservation and rural development assistance throughout rural America. By working together on local RC&D Councils; communities, all levels of Government, and grassroots organizations work together to develop and implement solutions to widespread problems and to develop opportunities that will help sustain rural communities, local economies, and natural resources.
