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Barriers: The life and legacy of Tom Evans
Tom Evans – environmental protector and political connector
With our nation divided between left and right, Barriers reflects on a time when politics worked in Washington. Tom Evans was the lone representative from Delaware in the 1970s and 80s and worked his way into the center of political power. He built coalitions of Democrats and Republicans, including the president, to pass major environmental legislation despite opposition from big-money lobbyists. The Coastal Barrier Resources Act, touted by the New York Times as “the most important environmental legislation no one has ever heard of,” and the Alaska Lands Act are among his most significant achievements while in Congress that protect vulnerable coastlines and pristine wilderness.
Even though he ran with the biggest names in Republican circles while in Congress, his influence extended before and far after his time there. Evans gave hundreds of speeches at various political and non-political venues to share wisdom and inspire his audiences. At 88, he continues to give interviews and pen op-eds to chastise politicians who are on the wrong path or tap the consciousness of the American people.
Barriers is a window into his life’s work. Filled with stories and photos of presidents, congressmen, fellow golfers, and family, this book reveals a man determined to use his gifts to make a difference. It speaks to a common-sense approach to legislation and consensus building in interactions with others that got lost in the last decades since he served. It’s about being a workhorse, not a show horse and treating people with respect.
Tom’s legacy is a message for those serving in political office and a call to citizens — use your voices before we cease to have them.
With our nation divided between left and right, Barriers reflects on a time when politics worked in Washington. Tom Evans was the lone representative from Delaware in the 1970s and 80s and worked his way into the center of political power. He built coalitions of Democrats and Republicans, including the president, to pass major environmental legislation despite opposition from big-money lobbyists. The Coastal Barrier Resources Act, touted by the New York Times as “the most important environmental legislation no one has ever heard of,” and the Alaska Lands Act are among his most significant achievements while in Congress that protect vulnerable coastlines and pristine wilderness.
Even though he ran with the biggest names in Republican circles while in Congress, his influence extended before and far after his time there. Evans gave hundreds of speeches at various political and non-political venues to share wisdom and inspire his audiences. At 88, he continues to give interviews and pen op-eds to chastise politicians who are on the wrong path or tap the consciousness of the American people.
Barriers is a window into his life’s work. Filled with stories and photos of presidents, congressmen, fellow golfers, and family, this book reveals a man determined to use his gifts to make a difference. It speaks to a common-sense approach to legislation and consensus building in interactions with others that got lost in the last decades since he served. It’s about being a workhorse, not a show horse and treating people with respect.
Tom’s legacy is a message for those serving in political office and a call to citizens — use your voices before we cease to have them.
312 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2020
1 person want to read
About the author
Lois Hoffman
7 books18 followersLois Hoffman is the author of The Self-Publishing Roadmap: A step-by-step guide to publishing the book of your dreams. She is a writer, speaker, workshop facilitator, and coach for new and experienced writers.
Combining her life-long passion for teaching with her expertise in self-publishing, Lois founded The Happy Self-Publisher to encourage writers to become authors and aspiring writers to put their thoughts on the page. She teaches writers to overcome writing, publishing, and book marketing obstacles through workshops and on her blog at www.happyselfpublisher.com.
She is also the author of The Almost Perfect Birthday Party: A sanity-preserving guide to planning a party your child will love. As a professional juggler and entertainer, she performs with her husband, Michael, as The Juggling Hoffmans. They share the gift of laughter at corporate, private, and community events. Her experience as an event planner and participant in 20+ years of birthday parties lead Lois to write about successfully, although perhaps not perfectly, planning a birthday party for children. She has also been published in Highlights for Children.
Lois lives with her family in Newark, Delaware where she juggles her creative pursuits with enthusiasm and joy.
Requests for interviews, workshops, school visits, and presentations can be emailed to Lois at loishoffman@comcast.net.
Combining her life-long passion for teaching with her expertise in self-publishing, Lois founded The Happy Self-Publisher to encourage writers to become authors and aspiring writers to put their thoughts on the page. She teaches writers to overcome writing, publishing, and book marketing obstacles through workshops and on her blog at www.happyselfpublisher.com.
She is also the author of The Almost Perfect Birthday Party: A sanity-preserving guide to planning a party your child will love. As a professional juggler and entertainer, she performs with her husband, Michael, as The Juggling Hoffmans. They share the gift of laughter at corporate, private, and community events. Her experience as an event planner and participant in 20+ years of birthday parties lead Lois to write about successfully, although perhaps not perfectly, planning a birthday party for children. She has also been published in Highlights for Children.
Lois lives with her family in Newark, Delaware where she juggles her creative pursuits with enthusiasm and joy.
Requests for interviews, workshops, school visits, and presentations can be emailed to Lois at loishoffman@comcast.net.
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February 3, 2021
This is a lovely tribute to a great man - Tom Evans. An inspiring example of what one can do when one works with others and respects others. Former Representative Evans was a great environmental advocate responsible for protecting the wild lands of Alaska and our coasts.
Displaying 1 of 1 review