Springtime in Oklahoma can mean any kind of weather is possible, but on April 23rd, in spite of overcast skies and a high chance for rain, the Office of Facility Management was able to host their annual Earth Day celebration. Thanks to Facility Services Division’s (AMP-100) recycling efforts at the Center, they were able to sponsor this employee event. Booths were set up in the new pavilion area just outside the front of the Headquarters Building. Several environmental vendors set up their displays, giveaway items were offered to employees like tree seedlings, environmental friendly bags, drinking cups, light bulbs, etc. Aramark sold stir-fry lunches to those in attendance. While the climate was chilly and misty, the weather did not distract from those wanting to share in the Earth Day celebration.
The notion of Earth Day began when a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gary Nelson witnessed the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He wanted to do something to capture the public’s consciousness, by educating people about air and water pollution, and pushing environmental protection to be on the national agenda.
On April 22, 1970 environmental rallies were held nationwide with Americans protesting for a healthier, sustainable environment. People that had been fighting against oil spills, pollution from factories and power plants, sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeway construction, and loss of wildlife soon learned that they shared a common cause, protecting the environment. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Twenty years later, the Earth Day campaign went global, putting environmental issues on a world stage. This helped launch worldwide recycling efforts. Then in 1995, President Clinton awarded Senator Nelson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to civilians in the United States for his role as Earth Day founder. Earth Day has become a powerful focal point for people to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the earth. Our hope is to continue building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations, doing whatever we can to protect our environment not just on Earth Day, but every day.
Congratulations to all the door-prize winners!
| Joe Smith | Medium sized plant |
| Lyn Sanders | Wind chime |
| Traci Mitchell | Purple golf shirt |
| Robert Hood | Red windbreaker jacket |
| Gary Spalith | Hose faucet timer and Sylvania light bulbs |
| Aaron F. LeClaire | Garden tools and gloves |
| Baanah Jeo | OG&E electronic battery charging kit |
| Kerrie Dickens | OG&E electronic battery charging kit |
| Beth Clements | 3-month parking spot |
