[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING NAPA SCHOOLS FOR CLIMATE ACTION

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa 
Schools for Climate Action, which I have named the 2024 Climate Crisis 
Champion for Napa County because of the important work it has done to 
promote youth climate leadership and advocate for climate policies in 
California's 4th Congressional District.
  Napa Schools for Climate Action has been at the forefront of our Napa 
County community's fight against climate change. It has hosted 
informational community presentations on climate change at locations 
such as the Napa County Library and events including the Napa Valley 
Unified School District Professional Development Day. They have also 
organized annual Creative Piece Contests for high school students, 
which are meant to invite students to create art pieces that reflect 
their emotions toward the climate crisis. These contests are decided by 
a panel of judges, and cash prizes are awarded to top candidates. Their 
dedication to including the voices of young people, especially high 
school students, in the conversations about the climate crisis is 
important.
  Napa Schools for Climate Action has also successfully worked for 
meaningful policies which combat climate change. They have advocated 
for Climate Emergency Resolutions and secured firm commitments to 
achieve net-zero climate pollutants by or before 2030 from the Napa 
Valley Unified School District, the county of Napa, the Napa Regional 
Conservation District, and all the cities and towns in the country. 
Further, through their Fossil Free Futures Project, Napa Schools for 
Climate Action has convinced each municipality in Napa County to adopt 
or pledge a ban on new and expanded gas stations. Their climate change 
advocacy is unparalleled in our community.
  Their work to uplift the voices of young people who are concerned 
about climate change in our community is further evidence why they are 
deserving of this honor. They have actively advocated for the 
prioritization of climate restoration at the local, state, and federal 
levels. Napa Schools for Climate Action was the only student group to 
support California's SR-34, which recognized that climate change 
disproportionately impacts young people. They have also drafted a 
Climate Restoration Resolution for adoption by the Napa Valley Unified 
School District that declares that climate restoration, along with net 
zero and net negative emissions, is their common climate goal. They 
collected signatures, conducted surveys, and presented to various 
groups to build community support for a Congressional Climate 
Restoration Resolution. I have previously met with the organization's 
Co-Presidents, Allison Bencsik and Liliana Karesh, as they lobbied for 
emergency-scale climate action. Napa Schools for Climate Action have 
since received support from me and my Napa District Office Staff in 
their latest efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, it is evident that the Napa Schools for Climate Action 
is an organization dedicated to promoting youth climate leadership and 
advocacy. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor them here today as 
Napa County's 2024 Climate Crisis Champion.

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