Maria is Ready for Congress

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It is a pleasure to endorse my former student, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, for the United States Congress. I taught high school History for over forty years, and Maria is one of my most memorable students. She constantly thought beyond the mundane and made the global and local connections that history teachers only hope that their students could. I taught some of the brightest of the bright, who scored well on tests, and had high-grade point averages. But some went beyond that and used history as a student would mathematics. That means, students like Maria used what we taught in social studies to understand the world she lived in and made the commitment to become an active citizen who would make a difference.

Today, I am honored to have Maria as the elected official who has represented first our state representative district and now our state senate district with distinction. She has worked tirelessly for her constituents. Today, she is my teacher. Whether it is a formal meeting with residents or a rare treat of a one-on-one walk in the park, Maria has broadened my understanding of pertinent issues that face our region. Her passion and knowledge about the community she serves are crucial in this time of corporate power and public apathy. Maria knows the issues and can clearly explain why she takes the position she does on them. I have been most impressed with her stance on the Westlake landfill crisis. She has been tenacious and courageous in her fight to protect us all against the health risks posed by this environmental travesty. While the media and other politicians have tried to marginalize her concerns, Maria has been a consistent voice for action. When our region erupted over the murder of Michael Brown, Maria was, in the words of Congressman and Civil Rights Activist John Lewis, one of those folks who went out and got in the way of injustice. Maria risked her safety and her reputation to stand with the young people whose voices were not always the ones the establishment felt comfortable hearing.

I support Maria. She is smart, and she has grit. Maria will serve the First Congressional District in the dedicated manner she has represented us at the state level of government.

Donna Rogers-Beard

PAID FOR BY CHAPPELLE-NADAL FOR CONGRESS