Senator Chris Marr Named Legislator of the Year by Washington Conservation Voters

Seattle, WA – Washington Conservation Voters named Senator Chris Marr (D-6) the Legislator of the Year for his outstanding environmental leadership during the 2008 legislative session.

As the Prime Sponsor for one of the environmental community Priority bills, “Local Solutions to Global Warming,” Senator Marr took on entrenched interests such as the Building Industry Association of Washing and the Washington Farm Bureau who have long opposed the Growth Management Act (GMA). “Senator Marr didn’t take “no” for an answer or give-in to unreasonable demands from strident business interests or entrenched local governments” said Kurt Fritts, Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters. “His work was instrumental in ensuring Governor Gregoire’s support and due to his efforts the bill passed and was signed into law.”

The bill utilizes the GMA as a one of the tools to combat the effect of global warming pollution, one of the few times where the environmental community attempted to strengthen the Act rather than simply play defense to fight back weakening amendments and roll backs. “Senator Marr’s Herculean efforts ensured the success of this important legislation,” said Clifford Traisman, Lobbyist for Washington Conservation Voters. “Because of Marr’s work, local governments will be able to use the GMA as a land use tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Marr’s work on environmental issues, including global warming, started long before his arrival in Olympia. In 2005, prior to his election to the Senate, Marr was one of the few car dealers in the state to actively support the environmental community’s historic legislation to adopt California’s more stringent car emissions standards, “the Clean Cars” bill.

Senator Marr is a leading advocate for the environment and tackling global warming. Washington Conservation Voters is proud to recognize Senator Marr as the 2008 Legislator of the Year.

Recent winners of Washington Conservation Voters’ Legislator of the Year Award are Senator Phil Rockefeller (D-23) in 2007, Senator Craig Pridemore (D-49) in 2006, Senator Erik Poulsen (D-34) in 2005, Representative Hans Dunshee (D-44) in 2004, and Representatives Fred Jarrett (R-41) and Sandra Romero (D-22) in 2003.

###

Photographs available upon request.

Washington Conservation Voters is the statewide political voice for the environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates to state and local offices. Working with our allies in the community, we advocate for strong environmental policies and hold our elected officials accountable both during and after the legislative session. Through our political work we are strengthening laws that safeguard the health of our communities, preserve the beauty of our state and  protect our economic future. Find out more at www.wcvoters.org