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DC Committee News Archive
2007 Year End Roundup
2007 was a very exciting year for the DC Committee. We launched new projects on advocacy – by supporting the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act – and on outreach – by promoting Water For People’s message through presentations and events. Click here to read about some of our activities!
New Web Site on Solutions to the Global Drinking Water Crisis
www.drinking-water.org is a new website developed by the National Academy of Science to provide international decision makers with peer-reviewed scientific and technical information about drinking water distribution and treatment options.
New Call to Action on the Global Water Crisis Premiers on Capitol Hill
The Chronicles Group, Water Advocates, and Millenium Water Alliance hosted the premier screening of Running Dry, a new 19-minute documentary on the global water crisis, on Capitol Hill on May 1, 2007.
The event, which was attended by approximately 200 people, featured introductory comments from Congressman Ed Markey; Congressman Earl Blumenauer; actress Jane Seymour, who narrates the film; Patti Simon, the wife of the late Paul Simon whose novel Tapped Out inspired the film; and Jim Thebaut, the film producer.
A panel of experts from the international water community discussed necessary responses to the gloabl water crisis following the film. Panelists stressed the need for cooperation among all stakeholders (government, industry, NGOs, community leaders, the development community, and conservationists) as the key to sucess.
A print of an image painted by Jane Seymour was provided to all participants, along with a copy of the film.
Blue Planet Run in DC
The Blue Planet Run Foundation is sponsoring a team of runners who will cover 15,200 miles, across 16 countries and 4 continents, 24 hours a day for 95 days to deliver an extremely urgent and important message:
we can and must begin today to alleviate the catastrophic burden placed on over a billion people who, every day, must drink unsafe local water, or travel long distances on foot to search for safe water for themselves and their families.
The runners will be passing through DC on Friday,  August 31, at noon, and invite anyone interested to join them for a two mile segment on the Mall. The check-in point is 3rd St SW & Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC, and you should check in before noon to participate. More information about the DC leg of the run.
Funds raised through the run benefit the Blue Planet Run Foundation, which has supported Water For People's work in Malawi and Bolivia in the past.
For more information on promoting the 2007 Blue Planet Run, see http://blueplanetrun.org/join.
 Modern Dance Benefit for Water For People, featuring "My Ocean is Never Blue"
The DC Committee of Water For People and
Daniel Burkholder /The PlayGround invite you to an evening of modern dance featuring My Ocean is Never Blue, a new multimedia performance piece that explores mythological, personal, societal, and political aspects of water. Tickets are $25 and are available through the box office at 202-269-1600 & online at http://danceplace.org.
The performance will be held at Dance Place, 3225 8 th St., NE , Washington , DC 20017,
near Catholic University. All ticket sales benefit Water For People. Download the flyer here!
Visit the "My Ocean is Never Blue" blog at http://improvarts.alkem.org/myoceanisneverblue/!
 Water For People DC Hosts Rock For Water
Water For People DC Committee invites you to join The Jones and Beautiful Truth for a Local Bands Night Benefit to support Water For People at Wonderland Ballroom (1111 Kenyon St. NW , Washington , DC) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 from 8:00 p.m. – midnight. Tickets are $10.00 at the door and all proceeds will benefit Water For People. A print-sized flyer is available here. 
Water For People DC Committee Celebrates World Water Day
As part of Water For People's celebration of World Water Day 2006, the DC Committee participated in a "Walk for Water" on the National Mall. The walk symbolized the plight of millions of women and children in developing countries who must walk miles every day simply to retrieve water for their families and will call attention to other issues related to increasing access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Thank you to everyone who attended this event. View a video on UNESCO's site about World Water Day.
Water For People DC Committee Sponsors Projects in Malawi, Guatamala
Water For People DC Committee has contributed funds raised during 2005 to support Water For People projects in Malawi and Guatamala. The national Water For People Web site has extensive information about work being conducted in Malawi and Guatamala, including current projects and goals for the future.  President Bush Signs Safe Water, Sanitation Bill
On December 1, 2005, the President signed the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act into law. The new law came as a result of tremendous bipartisan efforts made by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL), and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). See the Water For People Web site for more information.
Fundraising Gala Generates Enthusiastic Support for Water For People
On October 30, 2005, the DC Committee of Water For People hosted a special Gala to raise funds and spread the word about critical needs for clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education in developing countries. More than 275 guests enjoyed a festive evening of music, dancing, fine food and wine, and provocative commentary on the water crisis from those working to make a difference. The DC Committee wishes to extend our deepest appreciation to Representative Earl Blumenauer and Patti Simon for their meaningful remarks at the Gala, as well as Lynn Orphan, Steve Werner, Vernon Lucy, and Michael Read. The DC Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Gala sponsors and guests.
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