Here’s the press release from the NC League of Conservation Voters, which is giving “Rising Star” awards to Buncombe County Statehouse Rep. (and 10th District congressional candidate) Patsy Keever and Henderson County Statehouse Rep. Chuck McGrady:
NC League of Conservation Voters Announces 2012 Green Tie Winners
RALEIGH – NC League of Conservation Voters announced today the recipients of its annual Green Tie Awards. The Green Tie Awards honor legislators who have stepped up, spoken out, and carried water for environmental issues at the General Assembly. Whether it’s sponsoring pro-active legislation that will help clean up or protect our communities statewide, or being a consistent voice and vote for better environmental policies, these awards are a way to recognize the true environmental champions. Official presentation of the awards will take place on June 20th at NCLCV’s Annual Green Tie Awards Dinner in downtown Raleigh. The event is attended by business, environmental, and political leaders from across the state.
2012 Defender of the Environment – Representative Pricey Harrison
The Defender of the Environment award recognizes Rep. Harrison’s consistent willingness to defend against bad environmental legislation, the pollution lobby, and her commitment to taking a strong stand to defend our communities against environmental degradation.
2012 Representative of the Year – Representatives Martha Alexander and Verla Insko
The Representative of the Year award recognizes Rep. Alexander and Insko’s consistent ability to prioritize protecting our environment when making hard decisions, their long-time and effective willingness to engage with the environmental community, and taking members to task in committees or on the House Floor when they are threatening our state’s resources.
2012 Rising Stars – Representatives Susi Hamilton, Patsy Keever, and Chuck McGrady
The Rising Star award highlights the fact that these winners are some of the newer voices that our citizens can count on to make sure the environment is a priority when hard decisions have to be made. These legislators make the environment an issue they champion as they move into leadership positions.
The Joe – Representatives Joe Hackney, Grier Martin, and Jennifer Weiss; Senator Marc Basnight
New this year and named after former Speaker and long-time environmental leader Joe Hackney, “The Joe” honors environmental champions who will not be returning to the Legislature. Their leadership will be sorely missed.
Of particular interest is the absence of a Senator of the Year for the second year. Environmental efforts have been hit hard at the General Assembly this Session, and much of the worst anti-environmental legislation has been originating in the Senate.
NC League of Conservation Voters is a statewide lobbying organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing North Carolina’s natural environment. NCLCV has been working to protect North Carolina’s environment and our citizen’s health for over 40 years, turning environmental values into North Carolina priorities. NCLCV’s vision for the future of North Carolina is that all citizens and our elected decision-makers will better understand and appreciate North Carolina’s unique natural environment, and the integral role it plays in North Carolina’s economy and quality of life. nclcv.org
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