Dear Friend,

Every sports fan watches the college draft, hoping that a game changing all star winds up on their team.  They know that a great player with the right skills and dedication can make a difference in a championship run.  Today, Ocean Champions is proud to endorse a state Senate all star who can make our team of champions in Congress even stronger.

As a state Senator Robert O'Leary authored and sponsored the groundbreaking Massachusetts Ocean Act, then labored for years to pass it.  The Act broke new ground in ocean planning and management at the state level and set the example for President Obama's National Ocean Policy.  It mandated an ocean management plan that balances and protects the natural, social, cultural, and economic interests of the marine ecosystem through integrated management, while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health.  The plan supports sustainable use of marine resources, including renewable energy, and incorporates new knowledge as the basis for management that adapts to address changing conditions.

In addition to his leadership on the Massachusetts Ocean Act, Mr. O'Leary has a consistent history of environmental support.

• He believes in sustainable fisheries management, and champions innovative programs that align conservation and economic goals, protecting fishing jobs for years to come.
• He promotes energy efficiency, believing that the least environmentally harmful energy is the energy not consumed. 
• He has encouraged the development of renewable energy and believes we must cut carbon emissions to address climate change and ocean acidification. 

"Our oceans are one of our greatest national resources and protecting and preserving them is of the utmost importance to me. Good environmental policy has to have a strong component of ocean protection and I have worked very hard to promote the best policies possible." said Robert O'Leary.  "I am so proud to have my efforts recognized by receiving the endorsement from the Ocean Champions and I look forward to continuing our environmental stewardship together."

If elected, Mr. O'Leary wants to serve on the Natural Resources Committee, as that would put him in position to do more to protect our oceans.  He has the track record, the skills and the dedication to do so.  This state all star is ready to be an ocean champion in Washington D.C.

For the oceans,

The Ocean Champions Team

P.S. Help Ocean Champions fight for the oceans by helping to elect strong ocean advocates like Robert O'Leary, by making a donation today!  We can't do it without your support.