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September 19, 2003
For More Information, Contact:
Daryl Savage at (650) 688-6384
PALO ALTO – The first-ever award from a leading environmental group will be presented to Assemblyman Joe Simitian tonight. The unprecedented honor, officially called the Bluewater Network Environmental Leadership Award, will recognize Simitian for his recent environmental accomplishments.
San-Francisco-based Bluewater Network has been a sponsor on Simitian’s bills designed to protect the California coast from cruise ship discharge. Bluewater also teamed up with Simitian on last year’s historic greenhouse gas legislation.
“Joe is a fighter. He’s shown great courage and commitment for the environment by authoring several hotly contested bills. He is committed to reducing the staggering levels of pollution along our coasts and harbors,” said Francesca Vietor, Bluewater Network’s Chairman of the Board, adding “we are also all in Joe’s debt for his superb leadership last year on the issue of global warming.”
Simitian, who is receiving the award for his statewide legislation, is sharing the award with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who is receiving the award for her federal legislation.
This award is the latest in a series of honors recognizing Simitian for his long-standing efforts in protecting the environment. Other community acknowledgements have come from the California League of Conservation Voters, which gave Simitian a 100% rating on his 2002 voting record, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for the Assemblyman’s work on preserving open space, the “Coastal Steward” award from the Vote the Coast, and the California Park and Recreation Society’s designating Simitian to its “Honor Roll.”
“What matters is our environment,” Simitian said. “We can’t take our air and water for granted. I’ll continue to work with Bluewater Network and other environmental groups to insure a safe community for the future. I am honored to receive this award tonight.”
The Bluewater Network award ceremony begins at 7:00 PM at the Limn Gallery, 292 Townsend St., San Francisco.