Congressman Dan Kildee Receives Sierra Club Award for His Leadership Helping Families Recover from the Flint Water Crisis

The Sierra Club has awarded Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) its highest award for public officials for his tireless efforts to help Flint families recover from the ongoing water crisis.

The Edgar Wayburn award was presented to Congressman Kildee in Washington, D.C. Friday evening during a reception that brought together leaders from Michigan and around the country. The Sierra Club, one of the nation’s largest environmental organizations, represents more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide, including over 80,000 in Michigan.

"The Sierra Club is proud to bestow the Edgar Wayburn Award to Congressman Kildee for his tireless efforts and exemplary leadership in aiding the people of Flint, Michigan. His refusal to stop anywhere short of ensuring the people of Flint have access to clean, safe drinking water -- a right all Americans should enjoy -- exemplifies the spirit of the award, and we offer our sincerest congratulations to the Congressman,” said Loren Blackford, Sierra Club President.

Congressman Kildee (center) receives the Edgar Wayburn award from Sierra Club President Loren Blackford (left) and Executive Director Michael Brune (right).

“What happened to the people of Flint is a national tragedy. The fight in Congress to get real relief for Flint was not easy, but we never stopped pushing until we got it across the finish line,” Congressman Kildee said. “I am honored to accept this award and grateful to the Sierra Club and its members for their commitment to my hometown. In the richest country in the world, access to safe drinking water should be a right not a privilege. Together with the Sierra Club, I will continue fighting to make sure that all of our children grow up with access to safe drinking water."

Named after environmentalist and former Sierra Club President, Edgar Wayburn, the award honors outstanding service to the environment by a public official. The award recognizes Congressman Kildee’s role as a longtime, highly respected public servant and environmental champion as well as his active leadership to help bring federal resources to Flint as families continue to recover from the water crisis. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) also received the award at tonight’s reception.

Since learning of the crisis, Congressman Kildee has worked continuously with his colleagues in Congress – both Democrats and Republicans – and the White House to make sure that Flint receives the resources it needs to recover. Congress has previously acted on several pieces of legislation pushed by Congressman Kildee in the wake of the water crisis.

In February 2016, Congressman Kildee introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen requirements for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to more quickly notify the public when concentrations of lead in drinking water are above federal requirements. This bill passed the House in February 2016 with an overwhelming 416-2 bipartisan vote and was subsequently signed into law by President Barack Obama.

In December 2016, the House passed $170 million in federal aid directed at helping Flint recover. The aid included $100 million to help Flint replace lead pipes and make much-needed improvements to its infrastructure, $50 million for expanded health care for Flint families and resources to create a lead exposure registry, and $20 million for federal loans available to communities across the country to address lead and other water contamination issues. The legislation was signed into law by President Obama in December 2016.

This week, Congress passed two amendments by Congressman Kildee that expand health care and lead prevention programs for families across the country, continuing his fight for those exposed to lead. The first would add $3 million in federal funding to federal initiatives that seek to prevent lead poisoning and help families and children exposed to lead or other toxins. The second would increase funding by $24.8 million for the Healthy Start Program, administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which seeks to provide expanded health services for pregnant women and children.

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