Letter to Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate
Letter
Dear Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson,
As Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee I share your interest in seeking new ways for the Senate to lead by example to promote sustainability and develop new innovations to make Senate operations more efficient and environmentally-friendly while supporting U.S. workers. In particular, a company with a significant presence in my home state, Thermo Fisher Scientific, which manufactures Nalgene water bottles, a first-rate product, is a sponsor of the national "Filter for Good" campaign which encourages consumers to improve the environment by making simple everyday changes such as by using reusable water bottles in place of one-time use bottles thereby reducing waste otherwise destined for landfills.
Nalgene bottles are available for sale nationally and in many countries around the world at retail and gift store outlets, yet they are not currently stocked by the Senate Gift Shop. I ask that you consider stocking Nalgene BPA-free bottles for sale in the Senate Gift shop. After all, Nalgene's bottles are made in the U.S.A. by Thermo Fisher's 900 employee workforce in Rochester, NY, they look great, can be customized with the Senate Seal, and they are an environmentally-friendly alternative to disposal drink bottles. Gift store patrons will be able to have a fitting memento of their Senate visit, while supporting U.S. workers and sustainable living.
Moreover, the availability of reusable bottles aptly dovetails with recent efforts by the Senate Rules Committee to use sustainable filtered tap water in Senate offices in place of big 5-gallon coolers that once occupied workspaces and had to be inefficiently trucked and delivered on site.
Again, I appreciate your consideration of this request and your continued work to improve the daily operations of the U.S. Senate. Please feel free to contact my office at 202-224-6542 should you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator
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