Washington, DC – Last night U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) received the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s (NMSF) Leadership Award for his work to protect oceans and combat climate change. Whitehouse received the award during NMSF’s 11th Annual Leadership Awards Dinner in Washington, DC.
“I congratulate Senator Whitehouse on receiving our 2013 Leadership Award for his tremendous efforts to tackle the pressing challenges facing our ocean, and to do so with real, meaningful, bipartisan results,” said Jason Patlis, President and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
“We have taken some important steps recently to become better stewards of our oceans’ bounty, but so much work lies ahead,” said Whitehouse. “I’m honored to receive this award, and I look forward to continuing to work with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to protect our oceans and climate.”
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed Whitehouse’s legislation to establish a National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. NMSF honored him with its Leadership Award in recognition of this victory, as well as his work in founding the Senate Oceans Caucus and fighting to bring more attention to the issue of climate change.
The evening featured a tribute video highlighting Whitehouse’s lifelong commitment to ocean and environmental issues, with commentary from Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD); Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit; and Dr. Sandra Whitehouse, the Senator’s wife and a marine biologist. Senator Whitehouse was introduced at the event by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
Past recipients of this award have included Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), and Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK). In addition to giving Whitehouse its Leadership Award, last night’s NMSF ceremony also honored Dr. Jane Lubchenco, former Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
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