PRESS RELEASE

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND ENDORSES REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE MILLER IN HIS 2006 RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

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

"Conservationists need a strong voice in the House and Rep. Miller has proven time and time again that he is willing to stand up for our natural heritage and be that voice. From endangered species to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off of our coasts, Rep. Miller has refused to be bullied by the Republican majority. That is why we have named him one of only eight '2006 Wildlife Heroes' in the House," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

When the Endangered Species Act was under attack, Rep. Miller led the charge against Rep. Pombo's attempt to eviscerate the landmark law. Miller also worked tirelessly within the House Resources Committee before the vote to organize committee Democrats on the issue. He developed a substitute bill and led his party's support for the substitute and its opposition to Pombo's destructive bill.

The substitute Miller garnered support for came very close to passing and it gave House members a viable alternative to voting for Pombo's bill.

Rep. Miller 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.

"George Miller is a true champion for conservation. His 100 percent score on the report card shows that. From voting to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to opposing attempts to gut the Endangered Species Act, Rep. Miller has stood up to industry lobbyists and worked to protect our nation's wildlife treasures for future generations," concluded Schlickeisen.

To see a picture of Rep. Miller receiving his award please visit: http://defendersactionfund.org/newsroom/heroes.html.