Ralph Nader to kick off Earth Week at Vassar College. Monday, April 23, 2007

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — He's been called everything from a consumer crusader to a social critic to a muckraker.

Now, Ralph Nader will kick off Earth Week at Vassar College as the Vassar Greens' Annual Keynote Address Speaker. Nader will speak about the environment and what people can do to be responsible citizens on Monday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Vassar Chapel. A book signing will follow the lecture.

[Left: Ralph Nader] The event is free and open to the public - but, because of seating limitations, advance tickets are required. Free tickets will be available starting Monday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Information Desk in the College Center. Members of the public may also pre-order Nader's book, The Seventeen Traditions (2007), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Information Desk for his book signing.

Nader's documented criticism of government and industry has had widespread effect on public awareness and bureaucratic power. His inspiration and example have galvanized a whole population of consumer advocates, citizen activists, and public interest lawyers who have established their own organizations throughout the country. As The New York Times said, "What sets Nader apart is that he has moved beyond social criticism to effective political action."

The crusading attorney first made headlines in 1965 with his book Unsafe at Any Speed, a scathing indictment that lambasted the auto industry for producing unsafe vehicles. The book led to congressional hearings and a series of automobile safety laws passed in 1966. Since then, Nader has been responsible for: at least eight major federal consumer protection laws such as the motor vehicle safety laws, the Safe Drinking Water Act; the launching of federal regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and Consumer Product Safety Administration; the recall of millions of defective motor vehicles; and access to government through the Freedom of Information Act of 1974.

Nader's original research organization is the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Study of Responsive Law. Since 1969, the Center has produced innumerable reports on wide-ranging subjects such as the Interstate Commerce Commission, food safety, pensions, corporate welfare, and government procurement. Other Nader inspired groups include the Aviation Consumer Action Project, Center for Auto Safety, Clean Water Action Project, Disability Rights Center, Pension Rights Center, Freedom of Information Clearinghouse, and the Congressional Accountability Project. Nader also helped establish the PIRGs – Public Interest Research Groups – the student-funded and controlled organizations that function on college campuses in 23 states.

The largest of the Nader organizations is Public Citizen, founded in 1971. The groups under the Public Citizen umbrella include Congress Watch, Health Research Group, Critical Mass Energy Project, Global Trade Watch, and the Litigation Group. In 1980, Nader resigned as director of Public Citizen in order to devote his energy toward other projects.

Today, Nader lectures on the growing "imperialism" of multinational corporations and of a dangerous convergence of corporate and government power. In 1998, he co-authored a book on corporate lawyers and the perils of the legal system entitled No Contest. Nader ran for President of the United States three times (1996, 2000, 2004). He holds an AB degree from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard University.

This lecture is being sponsored by the student organization Vassar Greens, with contributions from The Environmental Studies Department, The American Culture Department, Democracy Matters, and The Vassar Green Party.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations at Vassar should contact the Office of Campus Activities at (845) 437-5370. Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential, liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2007.