Dear TCE Supporters,

Exciting news from the EPA today: Dr. Al Armendariz, an SMU engineering professor and environmental advocate from Dallas, was appointed to head our EPA region! To help secure an environmentally sound appointee - and to prevent a well-connected industry lobbyist from ascending to this important post - TCE led efforts that included over twenty environmental groups from five states, thousands of letters to the White House and EPA Administrator Jackson, interviews with each of the final candidates and organizing members of Congress to support a true environmental steward like Dr. Armendariz.

Just over an hour ago, EPA announced that our concerted efforts had come to fruition and that our hopes for real leadership - rather than more revolving door politics - were realized. This is a major victory for TCE and for all those within our five-state region who care about the direction of our environmental future.

To celebrate this victory, we're asking you to help us start this new chapter in Texas' environmental legacy by making a contribution to TCE today. Throw in a few bucks for luck or, better yet, sustain your support through the duration of Al's tenure by signing up for one of our monthly or quarterly giving plans.

Although we're very pleased with this appointment, we promise to continue to hold our federal and state environmental agencies accountable to citizen concern. As I said in our joint press release, “As outstanding as Dr. Armendariz has been on paper and in interviews, we’ll be watching to make sure he walks the walk. Remember, Al, my office is right down the street."

With this change in leadership at EPA, we know that big polluters will fight harder than ever, making TCE's strong grassroots presence more important than ever. And while today is a day for celebration, tomorrow we'll be right back at it, working hard to ensure the sustainability of our environmental and economic future. That's just our way.

Thanks for your support. As always, this victory is yours.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Jacoby

TCE Program Director

Dallas-Fort Worth