Contact: Chuck Porcari (cell: (240) 286-7566) or Mark Sokolove (cell: (703) 599-7656) or (202) 785-8683
WASHINGTON - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the political voice of the national environmental and conservation community, today announced its endorsement of Rep. Mark Kirk (R) for reelection in IllinoisÆ 10th Congressional district. KirkÆs solid 80% 2003 LCV rating and his pivotal leadership on protecting the health of the Great Lakes and its bordering communities from mercury contamination make him an important environmental leader in Congress.
"In his first two terms in Congress, Kirk has established himself as an important voice for conservation and environmental protection at the national level, and has played a vital leadership role in protecting the Great Lakes", said Betsy Loyless, LCV Vice President for Policy. "Illinois families can be proud of Rep. KirkÆs efforts to protect their health and quality of life."
Rep. Kirk authored the Great Lakes Mercury Elimination Act (H.R.5261) to deny new permits for facilities that would dump any new source of mercury into the Great Lakes, and is also encouraging the Bush Administration to adopt tougher emissions standards for mercury than are currently proposed.
"Mercury causes brain damage and impairs development in fetuses, infants and young children. Rep. Kirk recognizes the harmful effects of mercury and is working hard to limit the amount of mercury emitted into our air and water", said Loyless.
Rep. Kirk has also worked in a bipartisan fashion with Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL-5) on the Great Lakes Restoration Act (H.R. 2720), a bill to reduce pollution, stop the spread of invasive species, protect coastal wetlands and insure the sustainable use of water resources in the Great Lakes.
In addition, Rep. Kirk has has taken important positions against drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, has voted to protect our national forests and has supported increasing fuel economy standards. He also opposed the deeply flawed House Energy Bill because it was not fiscally responsible and did not represent a balanced energy policy.
For information on all of LCVÆs endorsed candidates, visit our website at </Campaigns/CampaignsList.cfm?c=3>.
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The nonprofit League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental and conservation community. LCV, which is not a partisan organization, is the only national organization working full-time to hold Congress and the president accountable for their environmental actions. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.lcv.org.
