Local Pa. Lawmakers Earn Distinctions For Support Of Environment, Parks

Local Pennsylvania lawmakers were among those recognized by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) as “Friends of the National Parks” for 2014.

U.S. Representatives Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA 8) and Chaka Fattah (D- PA 2), who represent Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Bucks Counties in Congress, were both recognized for their efforts to protect and enhance America’s national parks and environment.

“Standing up for our national parks is more than protecting their natural beauty, it’s about preserving an important piece of our national identity for generations to come,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “Environmental conservation and support for the 407 parks that make up the National Park System isn’t a partisan issue, and I’m glad my voting record reflects that.”

The honor was established in 1999 to make the public aware of how members of Congress stood on the environment.

For 2014, the NPCA analyzed the votes of Congressmen on five national park-related bills in the House.

“Our national parks are some of our county’s greatest treasures and I am grateful to the NPCA for recognizing my efforts to preserve, protect, and enhance them,” Congressman Fattah said in a statement. “I am proud to work with NPCA, my colleagues in Congress, and the National Park Service to continue ensuring these parks are maintained so they can be enjoyed by Americans now and into the future.”

Fitzpatrick said he has one of the strongest environmental records of any Republican, citing his work to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, backing legislation to support land preservation efforts and advocating for increased environmental education in schools.

Fattah, meanwhile, pointed to his work protecting and expanding Independence National Historical Park.

“As the 114th Congress works on policies and funding levels impacting our national parks, I look forward to working with Congress to ensure national parks have safe roadways, are well maintained, and have the resources they need to thrive for their upcoming centennial,” NPCA President and CEO Clark Bunting said.

The votes which the association judged were made on the following legislation in the House of Representatives:

• Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013
• American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2013
• The Public Access and Lands Improvement Act
• Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act
• Waters of the U.S. Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014

In total, 52 Senators and 176 Representatives were recognized by the NCPA.

Fattah and Fitzpatrick both scored an 80%, meaning they voted correctly on four out of five pieces of legislation.

Other Pennsylvania legislators that were recognized included Sen. Robert Casey, Rep. Robert Brady (D-1), Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-7), Rep. Michael Doyle (D-14), and Rep. Matthew Cartwright (D-17).