PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND ENDORSES REPRESENTATIVE ED MARKEY IN HIS 2006 RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Washington D.C. -- The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund today publicly announced its endorsement of Rep. Ed Markey (D-7th MA) in his bid to retain his seat in the House.

"The Bush administration's constant push to weaken protections for the environment and wildlife require strong voices for conservation in Congress. Rep. Markey is such a voice. He has proven time and time again that he is a formidable force in the House and is willing to stand up for our natural heritage. From endangered species to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off of our coasts, he has fought the good fight for our environment. That is why we have named him one of only eight '2006 Wildlife Heroes' in the House," said Rodger Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. 

"When the Arctic drilling language was in the House energy bill, Congressman Markey authored an amendment to remove it. His efforts garnered an unprecedented 200 votes. Not giving up the battle to protect the refuge, Markey fought tooth and nail to strip the drilling provision from the House's budget reconciliation package," declared Schlickeisen. "Markey's commitment and determination is commendable. He is a stalwart Wildlife Hero."

Rep. Markey has a 100 percent score in the Defenders Action Fund annual conservation report card. The report card measures the commitment of U.S. Senators and Representatives to wildlife and habitat conservation during each Congressional session. It reviews votes on key conservation issues, providing a clear assessment of how well members of Congress are doing to protect wildlife and wild lands for future generations. The report card is available at www.defendersactionfund.org.

"Rep. Markey's 100 percent score on the report card shows that he is willing to stand up to industry lobbyists and work to protect our nation's wildlife treasures for future generations, from voting to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to opposing attempts to gut the Endangered Species Act. Rep. Markey is committed to conservation," concluded Schlickeisen.

To see a picture of Rep. Markey receiving his Wildlife Hero Award please visit: http://defendersactionfund.org/newsroom/heroes.html.