News

Honored by Virginia PTA

PORTSMOUTH – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran was honored as ‘Child Advocate of the Year’ by the Virginia PTA at their annual banquet on Saturday, October 28th in Portsmouth, Virginia. Chairman Moran was the leading house proponent for the largest investment in K-12 education in Virginia history to ensure our schools remain top quality. He has also worked to reduce underage drinking and driving by making drunk driving a felony and he has fought for expanded children’s healthcare to every child in Virginia. Brian and Karyn have two young children in Alexandria.

In the last several months, Chairman Moran has been traveling the Commonwealth and speaking about the importance of Early Childhood Education for our children’s lifetime success.

“There is no more important measure of the success of a society then how we treat those at the dawn of their life. That’s why we provide protections for and make investments in Virginia’s children. I’ve been proud to partner with the Virginia PTA on important issues effecting Virginia’s children and am deeply honored that to receive this distinguished award,” said Delegate Moran. “We have great challenges ahead of us as a Commonwealth but I’m confident we can meet those challenges if we continue to put our kids first.”

Chairman Moran has been twice named Legislator of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, received the National Commission Against Drunk Driving Award and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program Public Policy Award for his work to reduce underage drinking and driving. He has also been an Advisory Board Member of Stop Child Abuse Now since before he held public office and has led the fight to prohibit sexual predators from school grounds. He was named Sheriffs Association Legislator of the Year in 2006.

“Delegate Moran’s legislative record shows his devotion to the children of the Commonwealth, leading the way on issues that have had a true, positive impact on their health, education and welfare,” said Diane Florence, President of the Virginia PTA. “He has earned the distinction of a “friend of education” and is a very deserving recipient of the Virginia PTA 2007 Child Advocate of the Year award.”

Previous award recipients include Senator John Chichester, State Board of Education Chairman and former Delegate Thomas M. Jackson, Jr., former Governor Mark Warner, Delegate Jim Dillard and Delegate Panny Rhodes, among others.

Brian J. Moran is Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a delegate representing Alexandria City and Fairfax County. He is a former Arlington County Prosecutor, a member of the Virginia Crime Commission and a former Legislator of the Year for the Virginia Sheriff’s Association. He is currently serving on Governor Kaine’s Healthcare Reform Task Force.

Plan would provide long-term energy solutions for Virginia

Richmond, VA—- Today, House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran stood alongside House Democratic candidates Margi Vanderhye of McLean and Bill Day of Fauquier County to announce their 21st Century Alternative Energy Plan.

Their plan would expand public-private energy efficiencies, use alternative energy solutions to help low income families reduce their utility bills, explore ways to reduce global warming, and expand alternative energy research at colleges and universities.

21st Century Alternative Energy Plan

Expanding public and private energy efficiency. (1) provide a tax credit for the purchase of renewable energy products; (2) exempt alternative energy sources in homes and businesses from local property taxes; (3) launch a statewide energy efficiency education campaign to increase public trust in energy efficient purchases; (4) require environmentally efficient construction for state buildings.

Protect Low Income families. By expanding the Weatherization Assistant Program we can expand energy efficiency improvements for low income families and reduce their utility bills. Those low-income families, particularly on fixed incomes, can not afford rising utility bills. Investing in energy efficiency preserves our environment and cuts costs for low-income families.

Examine further ways to reduce our impact on global warming. We will create a Commission on Climate Change, as recommended by the Governor’s energy plan, to study the carbon footprint of Virginia and find ways to minimize our impact. As well the commission will look at ways for Virginia to prepare to manage impending climate changes.

Help expand research at colleges and universities. Work in conjunction with the Secretary of Education along with the Virginia Research and Technology Commission, to expand access to federal grants for bio-fuel research and develop low interest loans for university research and private start-ups conducting promising bio-fuel research and development.

“Governor Kaine has provided bold leadership in asking Virginians to be a national leader in alternative energy solutions,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said. “By investing in alternative energy today, our Commonwealth will reap the rewards for decades to come.”

“Alternative energy not only can protect Virginia’s natural splendor, it can bring more good paying jobs to every region of the Commonwealth,” House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong said.

“This is precisely the kind of proactive policymaking that we need more of in Richmond,” said Bill Day, candidate for the 31st District. “This is about our future and the future of our children. Virginia should be a national leader in energy policy and this plan is a giant step in that direction.”

“We have a historic opportunity to boost Virginia’s economy while reducing global pollution and protecting our natural resources,” Margi Vanderhye, Democratic candidate for the 34th district said. “I look forward to working with Governor Kaine and our Democratic leadership to advance our state’s legacy of environmental stewardship.”

Recently, Governor Kaine unveiled the Virginia energy plan that calls for a commitment to reduce the rate of growth in energy use by 40 percent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, and seeks to increase in-state energy production by 20 percent. Today’s announcement by House Democratic Leaders would be the first steps towards reaching the goals set by Governor Kaine.

recognized for the proposal of a ‘Military Veterans Bill of Rights’

Today the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) named VA House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian J. Moran as the ‘New Democrat of the Week’ citing his proposal of a ‘Military Veterans Bill of Rights’. Each week, the DLC selects a New Democrat from across the nation who is making a difference in the lives of his or her fellow Americans using modern, innovative means to promote the traditional values of opportunity, responsibility, and community.

“I’m proud and honored that the DLC chose to recognize my work for Virginia veterans and for our results-oriented model of government here in Virginia. As the son of a veteran from the greatest generation, there is no more important compact then the one we have with the men and women who bravely defend our nations freedom,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran.

Moran continued, “In a time of war, when the federal government has all too often failed to provide adequate services for our veterans, Virginia must step up to this moral obligation to care for those who put themselves in harms way to defend us.”

The DLC recognition is available on their web site.