Pres. Obama Given Warm Welcome At Lake Tahoe Preservation Summit
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) - President Barack Obama visited Lake Tahoe Wednesday to speak at the 20th annual Lake Tahoe summit - and he drew a packed house.
"Never seen him in person, wanted to bring my girls out her to see him," says Erron Smith of Sacramento.It was a sold out event as thousands of people came out not only to see the President but to support an effort to Protect Lake Tahoe.
It was a sold-out event as thousands of people came out not only to see the president, but to support an effort to protect Lake Tahoe.
"It's the first time I'll be listening to a sitting president talk about Lake Tahoe, and that's exciting for all of us," says Sue Novasel, El Dorado County Supervisor.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid started the summit in 1997 with then President Bill Clinton speaking. This year, President Obama shared the stage with U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein as well as Governor Jerry Brown.
"Unlike other lakes in the world that have become nothing but dumps and dead zones, this is still a pristine wonder," says Brown.
The summit highlights the work being done to protect and preserve the lake, with the focus being the lake's clarity. President Obama spoke about conservation and climate change.
"For 14 months in a row now the Earth has broken global temperature records, Lake Tahoe's average temperature is rising at its fastest rate ever and its temperature is the warmest on record. Because climate and conservation are challenges that go hand-in-hand, our conservation mission is more urgent than ever," says President Obama.
It's a true treasure for the region and President Obama's presence only solidified its importance.
"I was really impressed with President Obama he really talked about science and the future and what we an do with a really positive outlook, which I believe in," said Tom Goldenberg, a resident of South Lake Tahoe.