Senator Hassan Recognizes Brenda Gallagher of Meredith and Pam Halsey of Center Harbor as September’s Granite Staters of the Month

Senator Hassan Recognizes Brenda Gallagher of Meredith and Pam Halsey of Center Harbor as September's Granite Staters of the Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Brenda Gallagher of Meredith and Pam Halsey of Center Harbor as September's Granite Staters of the Month. Pam and Brenda have advocated for the preservation of one of New Hampshire's iconic lake birds, the loon, for the past 10 years.

Pam and Brenda have been friends since 2015, when they decided to swim around the islands of Lake Winnipesaukee to raise awareness of loon preservation and the importance of maintaining good water quality in New Hampshire's lakes. Brenda's aunt was one of the founding members of the Loon Preservation Committee and taught Brenda the importance of protecting the black and white birds that live in the area.

This year, Pam and Brenda decided to continue their advocacy by swimming around the islands of Squam Lake. During the months of July and August, they swam around 28 of Squam's islands, islands that ranged in circumference from 0.12 miles to 2.6 miles, completing swims around one to four islands per day as part of their goal to swim around each island. They were even joined on some days by loons swimming alongside them. Pam and Brenda's dedication to the conservation of our state's lakes and wildlife is a true example of the Granite State spirit of outdoor stewardship and is why Senator Hassan named them September's Granite Staters of the Month.

Senator Hassan launched the "Granite Stater of the Month" initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a "Granite Stater of the Month," constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan's statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Brenda Gallagher of Meredith and Pam Halsey of Center Harbor as September's Granite Staters of the Month. Pam and Brenda have tirelessly worked to protect our environment, including by promoting the preservation of habitats for New Hampshire birds.

Pam and Brenda share a love of swimming and a deep appreciation for the loon, a black and white bird that is prolific in the Lakes Region, and is known for its haunting call. The loon is a symbol of the wild beauty of our state, but the local birds have been threatened by lead poisoning from fishing tackle. Brenda's aunt was one of the founding members of the Loon Preservation Committee and taught Brenda the importance of safeguarding the birds and their habitats. Both women grew up vacationing on Lake Winnipesaukee and now live in the Lakes Region full-time. In 2015, the two friends decided to swim around the islands of Lake Winnipesaukee to raise awareness of both loon preservation and the importance of maintaining good water quality in New Hampshire's lakes.

Continuing their advocacy for New Hampshire's lakes, this year Pam and Brenda decided to push themselves even further and tackle all of the islands in Squam Lake. During the months of July and August, they swam around 28 of Squam's islands, islands that ranged in circumference from 0.12 miles to 2.6 miles, completing swims around one to four islands per day as part of their goal to swim around each island. And they weren't alone on these swims. In addition to friends and family who helped ferry them out to the islands in small boats and kept them safe from other oncoming boats, they were also often joined by loons. The daunting feat was their way of raising awareness for their cause of protecting loons and New Hampshire's lakes.

Pam and Brenda's dedication to the conservation of our state's lakes and wildlife is a true example of the Granite State spirit of outdoor stewardship. Their steadfast and heartfelt commitment to New Hampshire's wilderness is why I am privileged to name them September's Granite Staters of the month.

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