[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 31, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     RENEW AMERICA WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL AWARDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL 
                             SUSTAINABILITY

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 31, 1995
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today, three organizations from my home 
State of New Mexico will be recognized for their accomplishments in 
effective, responsible environmental projects. Lighthawk of Santa Fe, 
the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice of 
Albuquerque and the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network of 
Las Cruces will all be recognized by Renew America as winners of the 
National Award for Environmental Sustainability.
  I am especially proud of the fact that New Mexico, which has one of 
the smallest populations of any State in the Nation, is home to three 
Renew America award winners. That figure is more than any other State 
in the Nation, with the exception of California with seven winners, and 
a far larger population base than New Mexico.
  Lighthawk, which is known as the Environmental Air Force, is based in 
Santa Fe, NM, in my district, but their impact has been felt throughout 
the Nation and the world. Since its creation in 1979, Lighthawk and its 
group of pilots have flown more than 2 million miles to far-flung 
locations throughout the Western Hemisphere to educate the public, 
empower local environmental groups, and respond to environmental 
crises. Lighthawk flies activists, legislators, and the media over and 
into endangered lands, allowing individuals to learn first-hand of 
environmental problems and situations. I have flown with Lighthawk in 
the past, and I am especially pleased that they have received such 
significant recognition.
  Project Del Rio, in cooperation with the University of Michigan's 
Global Rivers Environmental Education Network conducts a program that 
brings students and educators together from over 100 schools located 
along the Rio Grande both in the United States and Mexico. Using 
equipment, background, motivation, and resources provided by Project 
Del Rio, students learn to interpret scientific information, public 
opinion statistics, and economic data. Since its founding in 1990, many 
of the programs' participants have gone on to use the experience they 
gained while with Project Del Rio to win internships in other, similar 
fields.
  The Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, based 
in Albuquerque, NM, works to address issues that impact people of color 
and to strengthen community organizations and encourage them to 
influence local, State, regional, and national policies regarding the 
environment. The network has been considered essential in restoring 
long overdue justice in the areas of unsafe working conditions, natural 
resource exploitation, and political disempowerment. In addition to 
this award the Southwest Network has been involved in many successful 
media campaigns, which have opened up communication channels between 
environmental activists, the Department of Energy, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency. Lastly Mr. Chairman, the Southwest 
Network has been instrumental in promoting the examination at the 
Federal level of the broad range of environmental justice issues.
  Mr. Speaker, these New Mexico-based organizations truly are wonderful 
examples of the dedication of citizens across the country to 
environmental protection and education activities. I would like to 
salute my constituents' organizations and the other Renew America 
Winners for their accomplishments and contributions. They deserve our 
thanks and our appreciation.


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