Senator Jeffords, Congressman Blumenauer Honored with Water Environment Federation Public Officials Award

Alexandria, VA – Senator James Jeffords (I-VT) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) were presented with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Public Officials Award during the 2006 National Clean Water Policy Forum on Tuesday, May 2 in Washington, DC. The award is presented to an elected or appointed public official that has made significant contributions in the areas of clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or other area of public prominence that has resulted in improvements to the water environment. 

“Senator Jeffords and Congressman Blumenauer have both demonstrated outstanding leadership on behalf of the water environment,” said WEF President Michael Read. “This award represents the Federation’s enormous gratitude for their dedication and recognizes their outstanding achievements.”

A principal leader in reducing industrial pollution and acid rain in Vermont, Senator Jeffords - a ranking member of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee - was also recognized for his efforts to secure funding for the state’s water infrastructure improvements. Serving in Congress for 30 years, he has also been instrumental in amendments made to the Clean Water Act and introduced legislation for the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct groundwater surveys in his home state. “Senator Jeffords has been a very strong supporter of many issues that have affected not only Vermont but the entire nation as well,” wrote David A. Harris, president of the Green Mountain Water Environment Association, in the Senator’s nomination letter.” This support and dedication has helped secure millions of dollars to allow our cities, towns, and utilities improve water quality issues in Vermont.”

Congressman Blumenauer, a member of the House International Relations Committee and Water Resources Subcommittee, was recognized for his continued efforts to elevate clean water issues on the public policy agenda including his leadership in writing and enacting the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act last November. Named for the late Senator Paul Simon (IL) - an outstanding advocate for global drinking water and sanitation issues - the Act aims to make access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries a major objective of U.S. foreign assistance by recognizing the direct link between poverty and the availability of clean drinking water and sanitation. Blumenauer and Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), who introduced comparable legislation in the Senate (S.492) in early 2005, worked across party lines to ensure the passage of the bill which supports the U.N. Millennium Goal of ensuring environmental sustainability.

 “The United Nations estimates that over 2.5 billion poor people lack adequate sanitation services and over 1 billion lack access to safe drinking water,” said Read. “The Federation commends Congressman Blumenauer for taking action to ensure that U.S. international aid funding was targeted toward bringing clean, safe water and sanitation services to those in need around the world.”

Established by WEF in 2005, the Public Officials Award is presented for public service at the local, state and federal level. Senator Olympia Snow (R-ME), Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), and Mayor Daniel Malloy from Stamford, Connecticut were the first recipients. Mayor Shirley Franklin from Atlanta, Georgia is also expected to receive the award during WEFTEC.06 later this year in Dallas, Texas.

Held in Washington, DC, the National Clean Water Policy Forum is a joint effort between WEF and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Bringing together elected and appointed U.S. officials, government employees, and water quality experts to discuss recent trends in U.S. environmental policy, legislation, and regulation, the three-day event concludes today.

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 76 Member Associations in 30 countries.