"When something's important enough you do it even if the odds aren't in your favor."
—Elon Musk
My biological father Jack Hoy and adoptive father Wallace Nichols had bright blue minds, loved water, loved their country, and worked for justice.
My biological mother Sheila Pataky Youngblood is a champion of rivers and my adoptive mother, Sheila Wotrang Nichols, despite her lifelong fear of water raised me to to follow my purpose.
You likely have a similar story related to your personal connections to water.
It's in this transpartisan, creative, and collaborative spirit that we begin work on "The Blue Mind Act", recognizing that water is medicine for all people.
Legislation and public policy protecting our waters and oceans is outdated.
It's time for an update that recognizes, includes and safeguards the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits of healthy, clean, functioning lakes, rivers, oceans, biodiverse watersheds, and accessible tubs, spas and pools for all people.
The Blue Mind Act is precedent-setting legislation, based on the latest research in public health, neuroscience, and psychology, recognizing that water is medicine for those who need it most.
This legislation will be championed by forward thinking leaders and backed by health care professionals, ecologists, teachers, veterans, first responders, explorers, athletes, and parents who have experienced the valuable emotional wellness benefits of water.
The Blue Mind Act will recognize July 23rd as World Blue MInd Day and support and enhance the goals of:
America The Beautiful
Clean Water Act (50th Anniversary)
Endangered Species Act
Health Care legislation
Veterans legislation (Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act)
...among others.
