Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Philippe Cousteau To Headline Gulf Crisis Fundraiser in Mobile, Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aric Caplan| (301) 998-6592
aric@caplancommunications.com

Mobile, AL - June 18, 2010 – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the President of Waterkeeper Alliance, and Philippe Cousteau, CEO of EarthEcho International, will headline a major fundraising dinner and event in Mobile, AL on Wednesday June 23 for victims of the ongoing BP oil spill disaster.  All proceeds from the event will go to Mobile Baykeeper, the largest environmental advocate in the Gulf region, and Save Our Gulf, a Waterkeeper Alliance project created to support the efforts of those facing what may be the largest environmental and economic disaster in U.S. history.

“We are honored that Bobby Kennedy, Jr. and Philippe Cousteau are coming to Alabama to help us raise money for what has become a desperate fight to protect our environment, our economy and our entire way of life,’” said Casi Callaway, Executive Director of Mobile Baykeeper.  “As this ongoing environmental and economic disaster approaches the 3-month mark, our resources have been stretched to the breaking point.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. serves as Vice Chair and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for Riverkeeper and President of Waterkeeper Alliance.  He was named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” for his success helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group’s achievement helped spawn over 185 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.

Philippe Cousteau is the 30 year-old son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As a member of the legendary family, Philippe is continuing the work of his father through EarthEcho International (http://www.earthecho.org/), the non-profit organization he founded with his sister and mother and of which he serves as CEO.

"As the world watches the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe unfold and asks 'What can be done?', one answer lies with the men and women committing their lives to the future of the Gulf and the communities and families that call it home," said Philippe Cousteau. "Supporting the efforts of Mobile Baykeeper and Save Our Gulf is a way for all of us to take action and make a positive impact."

All proceeds from the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. / Philippe Cousteau dinner and event will be used to support this ongoing effort, including additional staff; conducting air and water sampling where state and federal agencies are not doing similar tests; printing informational pamphlets including volunteer workbooks, how-to guides and safety information; and purchasing essential office supplies to cope with the ongoing crisis, including GPS units, cameras, phone lines/systems and other essential needs.
 
WHAT:    Mobile Baykeeper / Save Our Gulf Fundraising Dinner and Event

WHEN:    Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 6:00 PM (Pre-paid dinner ticket required)

WHERE:   Space 301, 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile, AL 36602
                       
SPEAKERS:

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President, Waterkeeper Alliance
• Philippe Cousteau, CEO, EarthEcho International
• Casi Callaway, Executive Director, Mobile Baykeeper

TICKETS: Pre-paid dinner tickets are required to attend this event and may be purchased for $500 per person.  All proceeds will be donated to Mobile Baykeeper and Save Our Gulf to support their efforts in responding to the ongoing BP oil spill disaster.  Pre-paid tickets may be purchased by calling (888) 433-4460 and asking for Ruth McVay, by e-mailing mcvay@mobilebaykeeper.org or by going to http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/.

ABOUT MOBILE BAYKEEPER
Mobile Baykeeper was founded in 1997 to protect these vital resources, and became a member of the international organization, Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999.  As a well known environmental organization in the Gulf coast region, Mobile Baykeeper boasts over 4000 members and works on all environmental issues in the watershed that impact public health.  In addition to helping the community deal with individual environmental concerns, Mobile Baykeeper works on local, regional, and national issues.  One of its biggest successes to date has been in preventing an onshore or open loop LNG facility from entering the Mobile Bay area. In addition, Mobile Baykeeper has completed a Water Quality Monitoring Database, is a founding member of the Mobile County Air Quality Study, and helped found the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Reform Coalition.  More information is available at http://www.mobilebaykeeper.org/.

ABOUT WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE
Waterkeeper Alliance is a global environmental organization uniting more than 190 Waterkeeper programs around the world and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. More information can be found at http://www.waterkeeper.org/.

ABOUT SAVE OUR GULF
Save Our Gulf is a project of Waterkeeper Alliance to support the efforts of the Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper and Louisiana Bayoukeeper and in Louisiana, Mobile Baykeeper in Alabama, Emerald Coastkeeper and Apalachicola Riverkeeper in Florida, and Galveston Baykeeper in Texas who are facing what may be the largest environmental and economic disaster in U.S. history. More information is available at http://www.saveourgulf.org/.