Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Governor Chet Culver and State Representative Wayne Ford today presented the Grammy -winning band The Black Eyed Peas and the national non-profit organization Green For All awards for their joint efforts to raise awareness about the environmental and economic crisis confronting the nation.“The State of Iowa is a national leader in green initiatives and we honor The Black Eyed Peas and Green For All for their ongoing commitment to raising awareness of the importance of a transition to renewable energy sources and green job creation,” Governor Culver said.

The Black Eyed Peas and Green For All have teamed up during the North America run of the Peas’ World E.N.D. [Energy Never Dies] Tour to help raise awareness about how environmental challenges and lack of economic opportunity combine to adversely impact many American communities. At each tour stop, plastic bottles from the band’s concert venues are being recycled into t-shirts and other band merchandise. Green For All volunteers are conducting educational outreach at those venues, encouraging people to support climate change and green-jobs legislation.

Representative Ford, who is the longest serving black member in the history of the Iowa legislature, praised the band for their work on recycling. “I am very proud that the world-renowned Black Eyed Peas are coming to the city of Des Moines to perform. I especially want to let them know how excited we Iowans are not only about their musical talent, but also about their great community and environmental work worldwide,” Ford said.

Representative Ford is the founder and executive director of Urban Dreams, an organization that has been serving the residents of inner city Des Moines with a series of health and welfare programs for almost 25 years. He added: “I am also very proud that Green For All is part of this tour and of the organization’s untiring dedication to a clean-energy economy that will move America past some of its most pressing challenges.”

Green For All is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy. Working across many platforms, the group is working to fight poverty and pollution at the same time.

“We are honored to have Gov. Culver, Representative Ford, the people of Iowa, and The Black Eyed Peas as allies in this movement to create the kind of economy that lifts people out of poverty while reducing the risks to the planet,” said Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. “Together, we are changing the face of environmentalism and the world we live in.”