2009.05.14: May 14, 2009: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Greenwich Time: Greenwich Audubon honors Shays
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2009.05.14: May 14, 2009: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Greenwich Time: Greenwich Audubon honors Shays
Greenwich Audubon honors Shays
During a reception at the Belle Haven Club, Shays said he was happy to be honored by one of the country's premier environmental groups. "I really believe we're not going to have a world to live in if we keep up our neglectful ways," Shays said. Over 21 years in Washington, Shays sponsored and helped pass many bills to protect the environment, including the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act in 2006, which made $25 million a year through 2011 available for the preservation of open space along the Sound. In Greenwich, Shays helped secure federal funds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's $6 million purchase in 2002 of Calf Island, a 29-acre island off Byram Harbor that is a habitat for wading birds. The island, which had been owned by the Greenwich Family YMCA, is now part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.
Greenwich Audubon honors Shays
Greenwich Audubon honors Shays
By Lisa Chamoff
Staff Writer
Posted: 05/14/2009 09:45:01 PM EDT
Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays has been plenty busy since ending his 11-term career representing Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District, but he does now have more weekends free to enjoy the beauty of Long Island Sound right near his home in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.
Audubon Connecticut Thursday night honored Shays with its 2009 Environmental Leadership Award, recognizing his commitment to protecting natural resources, especially the Sound.
During a reception at the Belle Haven Club, Shays said he was happy to be honored by one of the country's premier environmental groups.
"I really believe we're not going to have a world to live in if we keep up our neglectful ways," Shays said.
Over 21 years in Washington, Shays sponsored and helped pass many bills to protect the environment, including the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act in 2006, which made $25 million a year through 2011 available for the preservation of open space along the Sound.
In Greenwich, Shays helped secure federal funds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's $6 million purchase in 2002 of Calf Island, a 29-acre island off Byram Harbor that is a habitat for wading birds. The island, which had been owned by the Greenwich Family YMCA, is now part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.
Shays said that with his full schedule, he hasn't had a chance to see any of the 10 different pieces of property in the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife
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Refuge, which stretches over 70 miles of Connecticut's shoreline and is named for his predecessor in Congress.
Nationally, Shays championed efforts to protect air and water quality, promote energy conservation and safeguard key habitat areas, according to Audubon officials. In past elections, Shays has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.
Audubon Connecticut worked closely with Shays to advocate for local funds to help preserve and protect coastal waters and wildlife habitats.
"Chris was always supportive and welcoming, and a very hard worker," said Thomas Baptist, executive director of Audubon Connecticut, which has 10 active chapters across the state. "He was helpful in unifying support in Congress for the benefit of Connecticut residents."
Because it's non-partisan, Audubon doesn't usually honor politicians, Audubon officials said. But since Shays is now out of office, after being defeated last November by Greenwich resident Jim Himes, they thought it was a good time to thank him for his two decades of public service.
Shays recently accepted a post on the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, a legislative body charged with examining problems with private contractors in the two countries.
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Headlines: May, 2009; RPCV Chris Shays (Fiji); Figures; Peace Corps Fiji; Directory of Fiji RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Fiji RPCVs; Politics; Congress; Connecticut
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Story Source: Greenwich Time
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