These Coloradans plan to be at the State of the Union address
DENVER (KDVR) – Congress will hear President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on Thursday, and also present will be many Coloradans who have had a significant impact on the community.
Members of Congress get to bring a guest. These guests are people who have been impacted by issues in the community that local lawmakers want to highlight.
What is the State of the Union? A look at some of the history surrounding the annual event
Here are some of the Coloradan guests that members of Congress are bringing:
Heather Martin, Aurora Teacher
Rep. Jason Crow is bringing Heather Martin, who works with mass shooting advocacy.
Martin’s a Columbine shooting survivor — which is coming up on the 25 years since the tragedy. After the Aurora Theater shooting, Martin started The Rebels Project, which is a group that supports mass trauma survivors.
Crow says that gun violence is one of the largest ongoing tragedies in America and it isn’t getting the attention it needs in Congress.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing the conversations surrounding the measures that are being planned to help prevent these and also just to, I’m hoping it’s addressed how we can support people in the long run because there are thousands of us now and we need help. And we need help long after the cameras go away and long after everyone else moves,” said Martin in an interview with FOX31.
Marina Dubrova, Ukraines of Colorado
Senator Michael Bennet is bringing Marina Dubrova, the president of Ukraines of Colorado to highlight the need for Congress to pass an aid package for Ukraine.
”When Putin attacked Ukraine two years ago, Colorado rallied to Ukraine’s side, and organizations like Ukrainians for Colorado stepped up to provide assistance and welcome the refugees that settled in our state,” said Bennet in a press release. “The Ukrainian people have fought courageously for their sovereignty, their freedom, and their democracy. The Senate has done its job to support them, now the House must follow. I’m honored Marina will join me for the President’s address to send a signal that our work is not done.”
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Adrienne Mansanares, Planned Parenthood
Rep. Diana DeGette announced that she is bringing Adrienne Mansanares, the former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, to address how overturning Roe v. Wade has put more pressure on providers in states like Colorado.
Becky Mitchell, Upper Colorado River Commission
Senator John Hickenlooper is bringing Becky Mitchell, who is an Upper Colorado River Commissioner, to focus on the lack of water in the west.
“Commissioner Mitchell understands the state of the West depends on the state of the Colorado River,” said Hickenlooper in a press release. “We can’t just do nothing while our rivers run dry. Commissioner Mitchell has Colorado’s back as we prepare for a drier future.”
The rest of the Colorado lawmakers haven’t announced who they are bringing or if they are bringing any guests.
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