Contact: Chuck Porcari (cell: (240) 286-7566) or Mark Sokolove (cell: (703) 599-7656) or (202) 785-8683

WASHINGTON ~³ervation Voters (LCV), the political voice of the national environmental and conservation community, today named Representative Chris Shays (R) as a 2004 Environmental Champion in his race for reelection to Connecticut³ 4th district.  Shay³ outstanding 93% lifetime LCV rating places him in the top 5% of all U.S. House members.

LCV Environmental Champions are candidates who have proven their pro-environment commitment through their substantive action.  LCV supports these outstanding leaders by rewarding them with direct contributions, fundraising, and occasionally running independent campaigns to help ensure they are reelected to Congress as we continue to build America³ pro-environment majority.

)s proud to name Rep. Shays as an environmental champion in his race for reelection,� Vice President for Policy.  � leader in the effort to improve energy efficiency, conserve our natural resources and develop a long term, balanced sustainable energy policy. He has worked to improve the quality of our air and water, protect endangered species, and preserve valuable public lands. Rep. Shays exemplifies the best of the Teddy Roosevelt conservationist tradition of the Republican Party and we are proud to work with him.�����/p>

Shays has been a dedicated advocate in the fight to conserve natural resources and diversify our energy sources.  He voted against the Administration energy bill because of provisions that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and said, ©nd it unconscionable that we would now consider despoiling one of North America's last great wilderness areas, when we are unwilling to take even the smallest steps towards slowing the growth in demand for energy resources.�����oice in support of the development of renewable energy sources and increased fuel efficiency standards.

Shays strong pro-conservation positions define him as a leader among moderate Republicans.  In 2003, Shays opposed a number of anti-environmental Bush Administration initiatives including the lthy Forest Initiative�ons for the oil and gas industry.

Shays has also been an important environmental leader on issues in his district.  As a leader of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, he has worked to protect coastal areas along the estuary that have significant biological and recreational value. 

Shays is Chairman of Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) a forum for  parliamentary leaders from different countries work together to forge balanced, informed policy responses to pressing global environmental challenges. He is also Co-chair of the Congressional Green Scissors Caucus, which seeks to eliminate wasteful and environmentally harmful spending. Shays received a 90% on LCV³ 2003 National Environmental Scorecard and was named a LCV Environmental Champion in 2000 and 2002.

For information on all of LCV³ 2004 Environmental Champions, visit our website.

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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.