FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 8, 2018
Contact: Chris Nordstrum chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov, 415-601-1992
Senator Mimi Stewart Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
Santa Fe, NM
On July 28 the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) recognized state lawmakers for their outstanding accomplishments on environmental issues. NCEL presented New Mexico Senator Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) with the Leon G. Billings Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was announced at NCEL’s fifth annual National Issues Forum, which took place July 27-29 in Los Angeles, California. The forum was attended by 135 legislators from 37 states.
“I am honored to receive this recognition from the NCEL and appreciate the added attention it will give to the issues facing us here in New Mexico,” says Senator Stewart. “I truly believe we live in one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse states in the nation, but it needs our help and protection now more than ever. We must also pursue our potential to be a leader in clean-energy production, as it is good for the environment and our economic well-being. I will continue to champion these issues and look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and a new governor who values the moral and economic importance of being a good steward to our environment.”
Senator Stewart was selected for the award by the NCEL Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of sitting state legislators. Criteria included bipartisan support for awardee’s legislation and impact of policies that they passed.
The Board cited Senator Stewart’s remarkable work to protect pollinators and wildlife, establish wildlife corridors, promote solar and clean energy in the state of New Mexico, and dozens of other environmental protections she’s advanced over the years.
NCEL board members named the Lifetime Achievement award as a memorial to the organization’s founder, former Maryland Delegate Leon Billings, who first organized NCEL in 1996. Billings is also widely known as the U.S. Senate staffer responsible for writing the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act in the 1970’s.
NCEL Executive Director Jeff Mauk highlighted the role that Senator Stewart has played as a mentor and as a leader for state legislators.
“As one of the founding members of NCEL, Senator Stewart has been an incredible mentor for fellow legislators across the country,” said Mauk. “Not only is she a highly effective legislator, she displays strong leadership and a willingness to share lessons learned with her colleagues across the country.”
Created by and for state legislators, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes over 1,000 environmentally-committed state legislators from all 50 states and both parties. NCEL provides venues and opportunities for lawmakers to share ideas and collaborate on environmental issues.
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