Senator Finney receives prestigious conservation award

            (NASHVILLE, TN, January 16, 2008 – State Senator Raymond Finney (R- Maryville) has been honored with a prestigious award for his work to protect Tennessee’s environment.  The Friends of the Environment Award comes from the Tennessee Conservation Voters (TCV), a statewide environmental advocacy group.  The group held a press conference in Nashville on Wednesday where he shared the recognition with five other legislators.

“We have had phenomenal people who have worked with us on legislation over the years,” said Chris Ford, Executive Director of the group.  “These folks have worked hard to protect the environment.”

            Ford thanked Finney for his “refreshing perspective” as he recognized him for his extraordinary commitment to the environment.  Finney received the highest rating of any Republican in the General Assembly.
           
            “Growing up in East Tennessee around the Smoky Mountains gives those who live there a special appreciation for the unique and beautiful environment we are privileged to enjoy,” said Senator Finney.  “It is important that we pass along this heritage to future generations of Tennesseans.”

The TCV chose the recipients of the award based on examination of their voting records and the annual legislative scorecard, which discloses both the positive and negative environmental voting habits of state senators and representatives.  Ford said only those state legislators who have demonstrated outstanding environmental responsibility by sponsoring legislation that serves to protect Tennessee’s natural resources warrant consideration for the award.  The honored legislators will be officially rewarded at a TCV “Nature Votes” event scheduled for February 3rd in Nashville.

 “The legislative records of these individuals reflect a proven commitment to the welfare of our state’s natural resources and is indicative of government’s critical role in environmental protection,” said Michelle Haynes, President of the TCV Board of Directors.  “We hope that by recognizing these legislators for their foresight and responsibility, other state leaders will join them in making the protection of Tennessee’s ecological health a top priority.”

            “I can see many changes in our local environment from the time I grew up, to the time when my children and grandchildren had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our East Tennessee mountains,” Finney added.  “Our state has some of the most diverse ecosystems in the nation and it should be incumbent upon us to protect these resources for those Tennesseans who will follow us in the years to come.”

            Finney is sponsoring environmental legislation in the State Senate this year with House Conservation and Environment Chairman Mike McDonald (D-Portland) to protect Tennessee streams from strip mining.  Rep. McDonald was also honored at the event with Finney, along with Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) and Senators Rosalind Kurita (D-Crossville), Doug Jackson (D-Dickson), and Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis).

            The TCV is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of Tennessee’s environment and preservation of its natural resources.  The group has several environmentally-oriented member organizations like the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, the Tennessee Trails Association and the Scenic Tennessee Alliance. 

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