Environmental Organizations Honor Rep. Maloney With Public Official of the Year Award

-Earth Day NY and NRDC’s NY Office Recognize Maloney’s Work on 9/11 Health Bill and to Designate Newtown Creek a Superfund Site-
Apr 21, 2011 Issues: Environment, Local Issues

New York, NY – Last night, Earth Day New York and the New York office of the Natural Resources Defense Council honored U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) with their 2011 Public Official of the Year Award.  The award recognizes Maloney’s work to designate Newtown Creek a federal Superfund site, and to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act – a bill Maloney authored to provide health care and compensation for 9/11 responders and lower Manhattan residents injured by the toxic aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.
In their award letter to Maloney, the groups stated that “your leadership as a U.S. Representative for New York’s Fourteenth Congressional District has made it possible to list Newtown Creek as a federal Superfund site and pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.  We are also grateful for your efforts to protect America’s wild lands, protect New Yorkers suffering from environmental health problems, and for your continued devotion to environmental protection that has made our city healthier and more sustainable.”

A photo from yesterday’s awards presentation with Rep. Maloney and another of the evening’s honorees, actor Mark Ruffalo, is attached.

“Whether it’s responding to environmental disasters like those at Newtown Creek and in lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks, or standing against future threats like hydrofracking in our watershed – I am committed to making our city a healthier place to be and putting our nation on a more sustainable path,” said Maloney.  “The declaration of Newtown Creek as a Superfund site is long overdue and will be a huge benefit for those who live, work, or play near our waterfront in Queens.  The Zadroga law, which I worked for seven years to pass, will save lives and give support to the tens of thousands of Americans who are ailing because of the attacks on our nation.  I’d like to thank Pamela Lippe, Eric Goldstein, and everyone at Earth Day New York and the Natural Resources Defense Council for this wonderful honor.  It’s humbling to have your work recognized by such good friends.”

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