TUCSON, AZ – Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Ranking Member on the Congressional Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Landsand Environmental Regulation, released the following statement today announcing his intent to seek the Ranking Member position of the full Natural Resources Committee in the 114th Congress upon Rep. Peter DeFazio departing to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
“I seek the Ranking Membership of the Natural Resources Committee as a life-long proponent of responsible environmental stewardship, and as someone with the experience needed to effectively check threats to vital protections that are sure to come under the Republican-led Congress and Senate,” said Rep. Grijalva. “We all have a stake in safeguarding natural treasures, as well as our air, land and water – I will ensure we live up to those challenges and provide the voice of reason needed to lead Natural Resources Democrats in the 114th Congress.”
Grijalva, who vied for the position upon Rep. Ed Markey’s departure and then withdrew his bid in the 113th Congress, had received broad support from national and grassroots environmental groups, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and national Latino organizations, including a resolution passed by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) supporting his bid. As a long-time proponent of environmental protections, he spearheaded major environmental initiatives and serves as a voice for a diversifying movement. His track record includes the creation of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, an innovative approach to species and habitat protection in concert with land-use decisions. He also played a leading role in creating a permanent National Landscape Conservation System within the Department of Interior, and led efforts to impose a ban on uranium mining within the vicinity of the Grand Canyon.
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