NORTH COAST, Calif. – Clean Water Action has awarded Assemblymember Mariko Yamada its “Clean Water Champion” award in recognition of her leadership on water and environmental issues in the recently completed 2011-2012 legislative session.
She earned similar honors in 2009-2010.
Assemblymember Yamada, who represents Lake County, was one of just 13 out of 120 legislators to earn this award.
“Assemblymember Yamada has shown leadership on the issues that our members care about including ensuring safe drinking water for all communities, preventing pollution at the source, promoting the public’s right to know about toxins they are exposed to, and stopping attacks on our fundamental environmental protections,” said Miriam Gordon, Clean Water Action’s California director.
Yamada is being recognized in part for her support of a package of bills affirming a human right to water and supporting the rights of small, disadvantaged communities to gain access to safe drinking water.
“I am honored by Clean Water Action's recognition,” said Assemblymember Yamada, "Access to clean and affordable drinking water is fundamental to health, life, and commerce, and a human right we must never take for granted."
Gordon noted that Yamada was one of four legislators who received a 100 percent rating on Clean Water Action’s list of 13 bills considered in the 2011-2012 session.
Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, former Assemblymember Jared Huffman and Sen. Noreen Evans – the latter Lake County’s representative in the California Senate – also received perfect scores.
“These legislators had the courage to stand up for our environment,” Gordon said. “They recognize that pollution prevention, environmental protections and transparency about industry practices lead to cost savings and economic growth.”
Clean Water Action is a 1.2 million member national organization. With 52,000 members in California, the organization’s goals include clean, safe and affordable water, prevention creation of environmentally safe jobs and prevention of health-threatening pollution.