Top legislators in Maryland, USA pledged on Saturday, April 24 to refrain from eating meat for a week to promote the health and environmental benefits of the plant-based diet. Sponsored by animal welfare group, Compassion Over Killing, the event’s launch was attended by government dignitaries such as
US Congressperson Donna Edwards, state Senators Jamie Raskin and David Harrington, state Representatives Tom Hucker and Jim Gilchrist, and Montgomery County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin.
All gave their pledge to be veg for the week.

Compassion Over Killing Executive Director Erica Meier said,“Every time we choose vegetarian foods, we’re helping build a kinder, cleaner, and healthier world.
And Maryland VegWeek highlights these benefits as well as the increasing availability of meat-free foods in restaurants and grocery stores in and around Maryland.”

We laud the exemplary initiatives of the legislators, Compassion Over Killing and all others going meat-free for VegWeek. May your leadership inspire many others to take the veg pledge, this and every week, to best sustain both personal health and our planet.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/green/Go-Veg---Maryland-Lawmakers-Make-Vegetarian-Pledge-
91920219.html  
http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2010/04/0385elected-officials-pledge-to-go.html