Congressional Awards Recognize Sustained Support, Initiatives.

The NRPA Board of Trustees has recognized the exemplary work of four legislators through the 1999 National Congressional Award. Recipients are U.S. senators Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and U.S. representatives John Dingell (D-MI) and Don Young (R-AK).

The award recognizes members of congress for either sustained support for recreation and parks or for a highly significant single action. The awards will be announced October 23 and presented during the NRPA National Policy Forum March 1-5 in Washington.

Senator Landrieu is recognized for her exemplary personal leadership as a principal senate sponsor of legislation to create a permanent appropriation for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and for urban park restoration. She is a forceful advocate of funds for local and state park and recreation systems, a key part of the proposal.

Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), also a sponsor of the proposed Conservation and Reinvestment Act, was recognized in 1997 for his actions to create congressional support for LWCF state aid.

Senator Patrick Leahy is recognized for his support for high quality recreation as an element of crime prevention strategies and his career-long support tar community forests and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, especially state and local interests.

U.S. representatives Don Young and John Dingell are the senior House cosponsors of the proposed Conservation and Reinvestment Act. The bill would provide a permanent appropriation for LWCF and urban park restoration. Representative Young is chair of the House Resources Committee. Representative Dingell, senior member of the House, has a career-long record of outspoken support for environmental quality and actions to improve the human condition. He is the principal cosponsor of House-passed legislation to ensure access to timely high quality medical care, including the continuation of services for persons with disabilities.

U.S. representative George Miller (D-CA), also a principal sponsor of pending LWCF legislation, was recognized earlier for aggressive support for public parks.

Contact: Barry Tindall, NRPA Public Policy 202/887-0290