September 22, 2009
Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for a resolution commemorating Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on its 75th Anniversary. The resolution recognizes the Sanctuary in east-central Pennsylvania for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania; and dedication to educating the public and the international community about wildlife conservation.
Hawk Mountain was the first bird of prey refuge in the world. It consists 2,600 acres of woodland and more than 13,000 acres of private and public lands in the area, and comprises one of the largest protected tracts of contiguous forest in eastern Pennsylvania with 8 miles of hiking trails for visitors. Each year, it is refuge to more than 12,000 raptors of various species.
“The preserving of our natural world is not just a moral or quality-of-life issue it’s crucial to our country’s prosperity, health, and security,” said Congressman Sestak. “Maintaining a refuge such as Hawk Mountain helps ensure that we will pass on to future generations one of our greatest inheritances as Americans. At the same time, it builds the economy by creating jobs in land management, conservation, recreation, tourism, and related fields and industries.”
As a member of the International Conservation and Land Conservation Caucuses, Congressman Sestak has long been a supporter of conservation of our natural resources, such as Hawk Mountain.
He is a strong advocate for conservation funding in this years budget process writing to the House Appropriations Committee in favor of maximum funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, as well as allocating critical resources for the National Landscape Conservation System; operating and protecting park facilities and resources; five federal mammal and marine turtle programs; migratory birds protection; Environmental Protection Agency environmental education and training; the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program; the Forest Legacy Program (FLP); and the National Park Service's Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers program.
Congressman Sestak will also be an original co-sponsor of the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act, set to be introduced later this year. This legislation would codify the 2001 Roadless Rule, which would ensure protection for wild areas of our National Forests and the vast wildlife, recreation and economic benefits they provide.
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, the Congressman was the first Director of Deep Blue, the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the Global War on Terrorism. He served as President Clintons Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Congressman Sestak is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
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