This morning, Good Jobs, Green Jobs South – the first of four regional conferences being held throughout the United States throughout 2012 – started with a keynote address from U.S. Representative John Lewis. Representative Lewis told the attendees about he was inspired when learning about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King growing up.

He called on attendees to do what he was inspired to do, “It’s time for us to get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble. We’re too quiet in the country.” In addition to this call to action, Representative Lewis reminded attendees that our planet is “one house” and that environmentalists and labor organizations must work together. “It doesn't matter if we're labor or environmental groups. We are all one. We are one people, one family, one house.”

Congressman Lewis speech was a perfect introduction to the conference, reminding us of why we must continue to fight for good, green jobs in this country. We must ensure jobs are available for the unemployed throughout this country, and we must ensure these are good, family-sustaining jobs that are protecting our environment. As Congressman Lewis said, “This little planet is not ours to waste and not ours to destroy. We must preserve it for future generations.”