What
U.S. Congressman James McGovern, D-Worcester, will give a talk entitled "The Humanitarian and Environmental Disaster Caused by Oil Contamination in Ecuador," as part of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) annual Hull Colloquium, sponsored by the university's Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. McGovern traveled last fall to Ecuador to witness the environmental and healthcare devastation caused by oil pollution. There is high incidence of cancer and other diseases in the area as well as massive environmental degradation. McGovern will talk about what he experienced in the Central American nation, and what the United States' responsibility is to the people of northern Ecuador.
The Hull Colloquium honors the memory of Laurence F. Hull '64, who died in 1965. An outstanding student, Hull was president of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, editor of the student newspaper, and chairman of the Student Senate Committee on Assemblies. In this last capacity, he sought to make students aware of the role of science and technology in society by inviting prominent speakers to campus.
Who
A Worcester native, James McGovern is a seven-term United States representative for Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District. He is vice chairman of the House Rules Committee, and is a member of the House Budget Committee. McGovern is also co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the House Hunger Caucus.
When
Wednesday, April 15 at 4 p.m.
Where
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Kinnicutt Hall
100 Institute Road
Worcester, Mass.
