10/24/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua McNeil, (202) 785-8683 or joshua_mcneil@lcv.org

League of Conservation Voters Endorses Suzanne Kosmas for Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today the League of Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental values into national priorities, endorsed Suzanne Kosmas for election to Florida’s 24th congressional district.
 
“Suzanne Kosmas has been a local environmental leader for years, fighting for conservation measures that have helped the people of Florida,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski.  “In Congress, her expertise and passion will help move our country away from oil dependence and towards a clean energy future.”

“Suzanne Kosmas has an extensive record of public service in support of environmental issues,” said Clay Henderson, Chairman of the Florida Conservation Alliance.  “Protecting our water, our beaches and our habitat, she has always been there for us.”
 
"The best legacy we can leave future generations is a clean environment,” Kosmas said.  “I'm proud to have the support of the League of Conservation Voters and in Congress I look forward to working to move our country toward cleaner energy policies that will create jobs, protect our environment, and end our dependence on oil."

During her four terms in the Florida Legislature, Kosmas served as Caucus Chair and worked to educate and advise members on important issues such as the Everglades Restoration Act, support for growth management standards, and the institution of land purchasing programs to protect agricultural and rural areas.  She was active in planning and the development of an award-winning environmentally planned community in New Smyrna Beach, and served for many years on Volusia County's Planning and Zoning Board.
 
Her opponent, incumbent Rep. Tom Feeney, earned an abysmal 0% LCV score* in 2008. Voting against clean energy tax credits and environmental funding, Congressman Feeney has repeatedly favored Big Oil over the interests of his constituents, choosing to invest in dirty fossil fuels instead of a clean, renewable resources. 
 
“Florida deserves a representative who will protect Florida’s land and economy,” said Karpinski.  “It’s time to replace Tom Feeney with a representative who will stand up for Florida, not stand in the way of clean energy future.”

* The non-partisan LCV National Environmental Scorecard is a nationally accepted yardstick used to rate Members of Congress on conservation and clean energy issues. Based on key conservation votes in the House and Senate, it is often used by the media to quickly describe a Member's record.  For more information, visit www.lcv.org/scorecard.

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