Congressman Bishop Recieves National Award for Protecting Rivers
Press Release
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR PROTECTING RIVERS
This week Congressman Tim Bishop (NY-1) received an award from American Rivers, an environmental organization with 65,000 members and supporters nationwide. The award was given in recognition for Bishop's commitment to protecting America's rivers and waterways, including his Raw Sewage Community Right-To-Know Act.
"As a Long Islander, I am well aware how dependent we are upon the quality and safety of our waters," said Bishop. "After years of cuts to vital infrastructure funding and the relaxing of water pollution laws, we cannot give up this fight. I am grateful for this honor from American Rivers, but even more for their members' passionate advocacy to protect our rivers."
"From years of fighting to protect the Long Island Sound and other local treasures, Congressman Bishop knows the damage sewage pollution can cause to public health and local economies," said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. "His legislation will give people an important tool to know when chronic underfunding of water and sewer infrastructure dumps waste into the rivers they care about."
Advocates from around the country came to Capitol Hill this week to meet with their representatives and attend the awards ceremony reception. The delegation from Long Island included Kevin McAlister, Peconic Baykeeper and Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, who both publicly commended Congressman Bishop for his work to protect Long Island's waters.
Companion legislation to Bishop's Right-To-Know bill was introduced this month in the Senate by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ). A Congressional hearing on the bill will be held in October by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which Bishop is a member.
Founded in 1973, American Rivers protects and promotes rivers as valuable assets that are vital to public health, safety and quality of life.
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