FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Shannon Murphy, President, 206-631-2628, shannon@wcvoters.org
Clifford Traisman, State Lobbyist, 206-369-2235, clifford@ctassociates.org
SEATTLE – Today, Washington Conservation Voters, the political voice for the environment, gave Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34) its highest award by naming him the 2015 “Legislator of the Year.” Representative Fitzgibbon was honored for his outstanding leadership during the 2015 legislative session and for being one of the state’s strongest environmental leaders.
“Washington citizens are better off due to his untiring dedication to tackle global warming pollution and ensure that polluters pay for the harm imposed on the citizens of this state, said Joan Crooks, CEO of Washington Conservation Voters. “He’s an environmental champion and as the state looks to lead the nation in addressing carbon pollution, we’re excited he’s on our team.”
“I’m honored to receive this recognition from my friends and allies at Washington Conservation Voters. We have much more work to do together in the years ahead in order to secure a safe climate and clean air and water for current and future generations,” said Representative Joe Fitzgibbon.
In 2015, Representative Fitzgibbon led the effort to shape the Governor’s Carbon Pollution Accountability Act. He utilized a collaborative approach that brought in voices from the following communities: Racial Equity, Social Justice, Faith, Public Health, Labor, business and many more. The final result was legislation that would have addressed equity for Washington communities disproportionately harmed by climate pollution and ensured a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry. The Carbon Pollution Accountability Act was a top legislative priority for the environmental community.
Representative Fitzgibbon also provided leadership on the issue of oil transportation safety, another environmental community priority in 2015. He pushed for comprehensive action to prevent spills and accidents that jeopardized public safety and waters in Puget Sound. He also worked to protect taxpayers from footing the bill for oil spill prevention and response.
Furthermore, Representative Fitzgibbon stood up to multiple attempts to weaken voter approved Initiative 937, the Clean Energy Initiative, and continued to fight to reduce toxins that threaten the health of our families and the environment.
“Joe is arguably more willing to take political risks to tackle global warming pollution than any other Member of the Legislature. He is the institution’s fiercest fighter when it comes to battling the fossil fuel industry in order to reduce carbon pollution and protect our environment”, WCV State Lobbyist Clifford Traisman said.
The citizens of both the 34th Legislative District in King County and the entire state are fortunate to have Representative Fitzgibbon working to clean up and protect our environment.
###
Washington Conservation Voters is the statewide political voice for the environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates to state and local offices. Working with our allies in the community, we advocate for strong environmental policies and hold our elected officials accountable both during and after the legislative session. Through our political work we are strengthening laws that safeguard the health of our communities, preserve the beauty of our state and protect our economic future.
Legislator of the Year is WCV’s highest honor, awarded to one state legislator each year. Representative Fitzgibbon will be featured at Washington Conservation Voters’ annual Breakfast of Champions on Thursday, October 8th. Learn more at our new website www.wcvoters.org