At DNC, Milwaukee advocates say Harris presidency would continue clean water efforts

CHICAGO – After Mayor Cavalier Johnson delivered brief remarks at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, two more Milwaukeeans appeared onstage to praise federal funding for lead pipe removal efforts in Wisconsin's largest city.

Deanna Branch and Rashawn Spivey are two of a handful "everyday Americans" the party includes in each night of convention programming. Branch became an advocate after her son was hospitalized twice for lead exposure, and Spivey owns Hero Plumbing, which works to replace lead pipes.

"Lead was everywhere: In our pipes, in our paint and in our soil," Branch said. "President Biden and Vice President Harris passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It's removing lead pipes from communities like ours. As president, Kamala Harris will make sure everyone can drink clean water and be, in Aiden's words, 'lead-free superheroes.'"

That last line refers to a picture book written by Branch and illustrated by her son, titled 'Aiden: The Lead-Free Superhero.'

When the administration announced its goal to replace every lead pipe in America, Spivey said, "Hero (Plumbing) stepped up to make that vision a reality."

"We went to work replacing lead pipes that serve homes and child care centers in our communities," he said. "When (Harris) visited Milwaukee two years ago, I got to show her our work up close. Because of her leadership, I've grown my business and helped kids like Aiden have safer, healthier lives."

The original projection to replace all of Milwaukee's lead pipes was 60 years, and officials have credited federal funding for reducing the timeline. Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency allocated $83 million more for removal efforts in Wisconsin.

More: Milwaukee's Bronzeville community getting new look to show off its history

At the end of his remarks, Johnson introduced Branch and Spivey as "two Milwaukeeans who know firsthand the power of reconnecting our communities." The mayor focused much of his remarks on federal funding that's "bringing Bronzeville back" with more green space, bike paths and walkable streets.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: At DNC, Milwaukee advocates say Harris presidency would continue clean water efforts