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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