Washington, D.C. – In recognition of her long-term commitment to ocean conservation and the national marine sanctuary system, California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S.
House of Representatives, was honored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation at their Annual Leadership Awards Dinner on June 3, in Washington, DC.

“Each year the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recognizes members of Congress who have demonstrated a long-term commitment and been a leading influence for advancing ocean conservation,” said Bob Talbot, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and celebrated photographer and film maker. “We’re proud to call attention to the contributions of Speaker Pelosi who has been a consistent champion of the nation’s marine sanctuary system, and a longtime advocate for ocean protection policies, especially prevention of ocean pollution.”

Representing the citizens of San Francisco since 1987, Nancy Pelosi has been a tireless champion of protecting the diverse marine resources and habitats of San Francisco Bay. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, she has consistently secured funding for marine sanctuaries off California which now boasts one of the largest protected areas in the country. Comprised of the Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank, Monterey Bay and Channel Islands sanctuaries, over 8,000 square miles of marine life and habitats are managed and protected for generations to come.

"America’s national marine sanctuaries are a treasure chest of natural riches that require protection and preservation for future generations. In the Bay Area and California, our ecosystem is a value system. Throughout my career in Congress, I have been committed to the protection of these critical marine areas. We cannot risk the destruction of our natural heritage, which is why I will continue to support the National Marine Sanctuary System and policies that strengthen it."

In the aftermath of the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, Congresswoman Pelosi introduced legislation which later became part of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, establishing rapid response plan for the protection of marine resources, wildlife and fisheries. Following the oil spill that recently threatened San Francisco Bay last November, Speaker Pelosi again highlighted the need for increased funding related to environmental response, assessment and restoration needs, and the need to fund the cost-saving Safe Seas drills for oil spill prevention. An outspoken critic of oil drilling, Nancy Pelosi has consistently utilized her influence in the appropriations process to ensure a moratorium on coastline drilling off the northern coast of California. Making history in 2007 as the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Pelosi is serving her 11th term.

The National marine Sanctuary Foundation’s Leadership Awards Dinner is held in conjunction with the 2008 Capitol Hill Ocean Week, a three-day symposium that features ocean policy experts from government, private industry, nonprofits and academia. Participants seek to raise awareness of the important ocean and coastal issues among our nation’s leaders and to build bridges among various ocean constituencies.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is the private, non-profit partner to the federally managed National Marine Sanctuary Program. It was created to inspire all people to preserve, protect and promote our nationwide network of marine sanctuaries. The 14 sites within the national marine sanctuary system protect oceans and great lakes from the Florida Keys to the Hawaiian Islands and from Lake Huron to the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.NMSFocean.org.

Note to editors: Photos available upon request