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Congressman Hinchy Receives National Sierra Club Award
SAN FRANCISCO - September 23, 2000 - Representative Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY) was among
those receiving national awards from the Sierra Club at this year's annual dinner.
Hinchey received the organizations Edgar Wayburn Award, which honors outstanding
service to the environment by a person in government. Hinchey was nominated by the
Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club.
In Congress, Hinchey introduced Americas Redrock Wilderness Act and set about to
convince as many of his colleagues as possible that this was a cause worth fighting for.
In the 106>th Congress, this legislation now has a record total of nearly 160
co-sponsors. He is the U.S. House of Representatives champion for the Utah wilderness.
On a more local level, Hinchey is responsible for the development of the statewide system of
Urban Cultural Parks or Heritage Areas. In 1996 Hinchey wrote the federal legislation that
established the Hudson Valley as a National Heritage area. Additionally, Hinchey has been
a forceful advocate for the clean up and restoration of New Yorks PCB-plagued Hudson
River.
Hinchey served the New York State Assembly for 18 years, until elected as the New York
26th District Congressional Representative in 1992. During his time as
Assemblyman, he served as Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee for 14 years.
Under his leadership, the committee conducted a successful investigation into the causes
of Love Canal and developed landmark environmental legislation, including the
nations first law to control acid rain. He has been a leader of clean air
legislation and has fought to hard to ensure the protection of pristine open spaces,
preserve the Adirondack and Catskill Parks and clean up toxic waste sites. He has been known as the
"environmental conscience" of New York State.
"Congressman Hincheys upstanding 25-year record of fighting for legislation
at the state and federal level makes him most deserving of this award," said John
Stouffer, Legislative Director of the Sierra Clubs Atlantic Chapter. "He has
been instrumental in protecting Americas environment by providing steadfast
leadership over the years. His outstanding service to the environment proves that he is a
man that is true to his convictions."
The Sierra Club, which was founded in 1892 by John Muir, is the countrys oldest
and largest grassroots environmental organization. It has more than 600,000 members. For
information on the New York Chapter of the Sierra Club, visit them on the web at http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/ny/