The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (MI LCV) held its Legislative Awards Breakfast April 30 in Lansing. This bi-partisan event, honoring four state legislators for their efforts to protect Michigan's air, land and water, highlighted specific contributions that each legislator made during the legislative session.

"Legislators deserve to be recognized for the positive steps they are taking to improve Michigan's environment. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters hopes the leadership exhibited by this bi-partisan group of lawmakers will be contagious," said Jeff Irwin, Michigan LCV Executive Director.

The four distinguished honorees for 2004 are:

• Rep. Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale) for scoring a perfect 100% on the 2003 Michigan LCV Scorecard and for introducing the original bill in the House that would enact water pollution fees and encourage pollution reduction.
  
• Rep. Charles LaSata (R-St. Joseph) for his courageous votes to protect the Natural Rivers Act, and for supporting enforcement of our basic environmental laws by standing up against an irresponsible Department of Environmental Quality budget.
  
• Sen. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) for her continued leadership on all environmental issues, but particularly for her role in protecting Great Lakes shoreline by pioneering a compromise that minimized the negative impact of grooming coastal wetlands.
  
• Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck) for her leadership in building the Great Lakes caucus of legislators from around the region. This landmark effort is a visionary step to look beyond political borders to address regional issues that affect the world's most valuable and abundant source of freshwater.
  
  The following firms co-sponsored this event: Health Management Associates, Public Policy Associates and Public Sector Consultants.