The following is an excerpt from a recent op-ed that Brian published in the Bristol Herald Courier :

...during my recent visit to the Wise County Fairgrounds to see the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Expedition. RAM is the nation’s largest free basic health-care event and this all-volunteer event is an important reminder of our shared commitment to leveling the playing field for everyone.

But this visit also made clear that our efforts to increase health care access in rural Virginia have not done nearly enough.

As I watched one line snake around a tent four times – and saw hundreds waiting for basic health and dental care– I knew that this event serves as powerful proof of our failure to ensure adequate health care for every Virginian. Organizers estimate over 2500 received care over the three days, but as many as 1000 more were turned away.

In a prosperous state in the most powerful nation on earth, it is a simple fact that no one should be denied access to health care. Early health care intervention is not only a moral imperative; it also saves resources. It is much more cost effective to make blood pressure screening and medication available than it is to treat a stroke. Regular dental cleanings are more cost effective than fashioning a new set of teeth.

This visit highlighted what I’ve learned as I prepare my campaign for Governor: Intelligence and ability are equally distributed across this Commonwealth, but investment and opportunity are not.

As thankful as we all are for the volunteers who make this event a success each year, health care access should not be limited to one weekend in July, it should be available year round. As proud as we are of the work at RAM, we will only be successful when we have expanded health care access to the point where this event is no longer necessary.

Read the whole op-ed.

Brian spoke to the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club yesterday, outlining his vision for Virginia’s energy economy and environmental future. He pledged a focus on economic growth while defining his measure of success as “the legacy we leave to the next generation.”

From the speech:

We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy. That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.

From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it’s going to take a joint commitment – the type of commitment we haven’t seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon,” said Moran. “It’s going to take another Apollo mission to get this done. Virginia can’t lead our nation, and our nation can’t lead this world, if we stay behind in this race.

Josh from Raising Kaine wrote:

Brian Moran has set the bar for responsible energy policy in the 2009 race. There's a lot for pragmatic progressives to appreciate in Moran's approach. Of the current contenders for the office, Moran is clearly leading this issue.

Decision Virginia also covered the speech.

Watch the speech:

Brian went to Denver for last week's historic Democratic National Convention and was proud to host an event for the Virginia Delegation. The Washington Post's Tim Craig reported:

More than 100 Virginia Democrats attended the party, billed as a "Late Night With Brian Moran," including U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott and Moran's brother, Rep. James P. Moran. U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner also made an appearance, hours after he delivered the convention keynote address.

"It was a nice opportunity to get everyone together after Mark's speech and celebrate Mark's speech," Brian Moran said.

Raising Kaine's Josh Chernilla also had a lengthy feature about Brian at the convention. Here's a sample:

Into this astonishing array of excitement and emotion, an ebullient Mark Warner joins the fray. His tie and jacket long-gone, Warner is having a great time with his beloved Virginia Democrats; greeting all. I watch him shake hands and then bear hug Brian Moran. It's an honest moment between the two that seems to betray a simple truth: these guys are good friends.

The next day, I'm peppering Moran with questions over coffee. Moran has been going since 4am, doing the media circuit. I start by asking about Warner's speech. "His speech was 'Warneresque'", he smiles through his pinched-cheek smile. "I've known Mark for 20 years. He gave a substantive speech about how we can meet challenges. Mark has a message of governance and solving problems. That's how we win in Virginia, by rolling up our sleeves and addressing issues that matter to people."

"I represent the continuation of the success we've had in Virginia. It's success based on results for regular people; in treating Virginia as a Commonwealth. Whether you're born in Galax or Fairfax, you should have the same opportunity. That's the principle I've been fighting for in the House for 12 years, and it's why Democrats should win this year. We have a vision for the country that is for the whole country."

Anita Kumar of the Washington Post blogs:

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) has purchased "carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint" of the Virginia delegation while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.

A carbon footprint measures the affect human activity has on the environment through greenhouse gases. Moran, who is not a delegate but will be attending the convention, purchased carbon offsets that will be invested in renewable energy through Native Energy.

"Democrats have a long track record as champions of our environment," Moran said. "Leaving a clean and healthy world for the next generation is both a moral obligation and an economic necessity. It's important we show our commitment to this cause with both our words and our actions."

The Virginia delegation will produce approximately 115 tons of carbon-based pollution from air and ground travel, accommodations and waste, according to national Democratic officials.

Delegates have already offset 44 of those tons. Moran's offset includes his own carbon impact.

Raising Kaine has more and you can read the full press release here.