The Angeles Chapter this year dedicated its Political Leadership Awards 2014 ceremony to the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The August fundraising event "Wild Urban Trails Forever," was held in Beverly Hills. Hosted by the Angeles Chapter PAC at the home of David and Gina Nahai, the event provided the perfect setting to celebrate our wild past and current and future defenders of wild lands.
"The Sierra Club's 2.4 million members and supporters work tirelessly year-round to protect the health of our environment and our communities," Sierra Club board and Chapter member Susana Reyes told the crowd of 200 people. "We rally and take action to advance clean energy and protect our natural heritage, and we fight for stronger laws that safeguard our air, water and climate, which protect families and future generations to come."
Reyes said none of this would be possible without elected leaders who will fight for the environment and an educated public that supports them in that effort. "We know that without environmental champions in elected office advocating for our causes, our work is a lot harder," she said.
The Political Committee recognized the following elected officials for their outstanding leadership on environmental issues:
--L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti: Deemed the greenest of mayors, Garcetti was appointed by President Obama to the White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. He recently joined the C40 North America Steering Committee and became chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. Garcetti has long championed the use of neighborhood land trusts to add pocket parks and community gardens throughout the city, led the fight for clean water and a bond measure to ensure it, and wrote a green building ordinance that successfully pushed for green power production, including solar power. He also persuaded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve a $1 billion plan to upgrade 11 miles of the L.A. River.
L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey, known for her groundbreaking crime-fighting initiatives within the office, including the nation's first animal cruelty prosecution program, the graffiti prosecution program and the Project Safe Neighborhoods gun prosecution program, introduced Garcetti as the first honoree of the day.
--Former L.A. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl: The Chapter was one of the early endorsers of Rosendahl who served on the L.A. City Councilman representing the 11th district from 2005 until his retirement in 2011. Rosendahl was singled out for his leadership at the city-owned Ballona Wetlands Grand Canal Lagoon by allowing genuine restoration to move forward. He convened a community stakeholder effort which resulted in an amazing community-engaged restoration; there are now beautiful public access trails in the lagoon and the preserve. "The Sierra Club is so grateful to Bill Rosendahl for his leadership and environmental stewardship of our natural wild areas and public trails, and he is so deserving of this award," Chapter senior director George Watland said.
Sheila Kuehl, who served eight years in the state Senate and six years in the state Assembly, introduced Rosendahl. She's currently running for L.A. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's seat in November.
--Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez: First elected in 1997, Sanchez is serving her ninth term in Congress. She represents the 46th Congressional district, which includes Santa Ana, Anaheim and part of Garden Grove and Orange. Sanchez has consistently been a strong supporter of environmental issues in the House, particularly those related to water and air quality. The Leage of Conservation voters gave her a 96% rating in 2013 and 88% lifetime rating.
During her tenure, she supported legislation to ban costly clear-cut logging practices on federal lands and has advocated for increased fines for off-road vehicles that damage national forests. She supports preserving fthe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf from drilling or development. She's also become a champion for regional water issues by supporting numerous bills to improve California's water system and increase the deliverable water supply in Orange County.
State Sen. Ted Lieu introduced Sanchez, who was there to accept her award. Lieu is running in November to fill the seat of U.S. Rep Henry Waxman.
--Congresswoman Janice Hahn: Hahn, who was on vacation and could not attend, also received an award for her strong vote for the environment and for clean green energy during her tenure in Congress. She represents the 44th District. She founded the Bi-Partisan Congressional Ports Caucus to bring together lawmakers from all across the political spectrum to work together on strengthening and securing America's ports. Hahn also played an important role in cleaning up the air in the L.A. Basin during her time on the L.A. City City Council as a strong supporter of the Clean Air Action Plan and the Clean Trucks Program to reduce diesel air pollution.
--Congressman Adam Schiff: He represents California's 28th Congressional district. Schiff is known for getting the Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act passed by Congress, which commissioned a study on the feasibility of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains and canyons in the corridor. Schiff also is committed to battling climate change and has been a consistent and strong supporter of renewable and clean energy, endangered species protections, and preservation of land and natural resources.
Among the Sponsors of the event are Recology, 8-Minute Energy, Meyer Luskin, CarbonLITE Industries, Lee Andrews Group, Victor Griego, Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, Pathfinder Renewable Wind Energy, Environmental Outreach Strategies, State Senator Kevin de Leon, L.A. City council members Bob Blumenfield, Paul Koretz, Mike Bonin, and Jose Huizar, Assemblymembers Anthony Rendon and Mike Gatto and others. The Political Committee also thanks the CA chapters, the Angeles Chapter groups, and attendees who donated and turned out for this important event. For donations, go to the PAC's donation page.