Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Endorses Representative Mike Castle in his 2006 Re-election Campaign

Washington D.C. -- The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund today publicly announced its endorsement of Rep. Mike Castle (R-At Large DE) in his bid to retain his seat in the House.

"Rep. Castle is a strong conservationist. He stands up for his values and what is best for America, and he follows through by voting his conscience instead of voting based on party lines," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

Rep. Castle currently has a 78 percent pro-conservation voting record for the 109th Congress based on votes listed on the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund web site. Most or all of these votes will be the basis for the organization's final report card, issued at the end of each congress. 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. Voting record details are available at www.defendersactionfund.org.

"I'm sure many of the votes he cast were difficult because of the immense pressure that comes down from his party's leadership," continued Schlickeisen. "But I'm most impressed by Rep. Castle's resolve. His votes have helped keep drilling out of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and he was a part of the bipartisan opposition that voted against Rep. Richard Pombo's attempts to dismantle the Endangered Species Act last September."

Currently, Rep. Pombo's endangered species legislation is stalled in the Senate.

"Perhaps most importantly for Delaware, Rep. Castle voted against a bill that would lift the moratorium on off-shore drilling. He did not want to expose our beaches to potential disaster from an oil spill just a few miles off the coast."

"Without Rep. Castle's consistent support, the conservation community would be in a very different place right now and America's wildlife, parks, refuges and beaches would be facing an uncertain future. It is imperative that Delaware's voters continue their support of Rep. Mike Castle and make sure that he stays on Capitol Hill in November. Every time you step into a familiar forest or onto a clean, sandy beach, you'll be happy you did."

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The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.