For Immediate Release
August 26th, 2009
Contact: David Willett (DC), 202-675-6698
Phillip Sego (MA), 617-610-3054
Sierra Club Statement on Senator Ted Kennedy
Local, National Leaders Mourn Loss of an Environmental Champion
The Sierra Club and its Massachusetts chapter issue the following statement on the passing of Ted Kennedy:
"Senator Kennedy's leadership, wisdom, and political skills were without equal," said Massachusetts Sierra Club director James McCaffrey. "He was an environmental champion for decades, advocating for clean air and water legislation, and supporting mass transit and completing the North South Rail Link, which would get 55,000 cars off the road daily. The people who worked with him knew him well -- and knew that his promises meant action."
"Senator Kennedy was always a champion for progress and a better future for all of us," said Carl Pope, Executive Director of Sierra Club. "He will be deeply missed by all who care about protecting America's clean air, clean water and wild places. During his amazing life of public service, he consistently stood up for the public over corporate interest. He was a defender of low-income families fighting air and water pollution in their neighborhoods, and helped poor communities save money and energy with weatherization and home heating assistance programs. Senator Kennedy fought against giveaways for oil companies for decades and has been a founding supporter of better fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. He strongly supported economic stimulus through investment in renewable energy. We will work hard to follow-through on Ted Kennedy's vision of a clean energy future that works for everyone. "
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