MAJORITY LEADER TONI ATKINS RECOGNIZED AS CLEAN WATER CHAMPION

(Sacramento)  Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins has been honored as a Clean Water Champion by Clean Water Action California in recognition of her leadership on water and other environmental issues during the 2011-2012 legislative session.  Atkins was one of only thirteen legislators to receive an “A” on Clean Water Action’s scorecard, which tallied votes on 16 bills related to water, environmental justice, pollution prevention, the public’s right to know about environmental threats, and attempts to roll back the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA.)
                                                                              
“Majority Leader Atkins has shown leadership on issues our members care about,” says Miriam Gordon, Clean Water Action’s California Director.  “We commend our Clean Water Champions for recognizing that protecting the environment moves California not only toward a more sustainable environment, but also toward greater economic sustainability in the long run.”

“Protecting the water we drink and swim in, the air we breathe, and the health and diversity of our environment are critical to the outstanding way of life we enjoy here in California, especially in my coastal San Diego district,” says Majority Leader Atkins.  “I am very proud of having been recognized for my commitment to our environment with this award.”

To commemorate this award, Majority Leader Atkins was given a glass mug made from wine, beer, liquor and soda bottles recycled from San Diego restaurants, bars, homes and events by BottleHood, a San Diego area company.
Clean Water Action is a one million member organization to protect the environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life.  Their goals include clean, safe and affordable water; prevention of health-threatening pollution; creation of environmentally safe jobs and businesses; and empowerment of people to make democracy work.

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Note: Photo attached.  Majority Leader Atkins is presented the Clean Water Champion Award by staff of Clean Water Action California.  Pictured, left to right, are Lori Chen, Legislative Coordinator; Andrew Grinberg, Program Coordinator; Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins; Andria Ventura, Environmental Health Organizer; Jennifer Clary, Program Associate