WASHINGTON, DC (April 13, 2000) -- North Shore Congressman John Porter (R-10th District/IL) tonight received the Ansel Adams Award, presented by The Wilderness Society for lasting contributions to the stewardship of America's natural treasures.

He accepted the award at a Willard Hotel dinner honoring former Wisconsin Senator and Governor Gaylord Nelson, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Earth Day April 22. Nelson is the founder of Earth Day and has been The Wilderness Society's Councilor since leaving the Senate in 1981.

This year there were two winners of the Ansel Adams Award. The other was Congressman David Obey (D-7/WI).

"John Porter has been a vital ally in our efforts to protect a nationwide network of wild lands to pass on to future generations," said Wilderness Society President William H. Meadows in presenting the award. "During a period when the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill has been more interested in exploiting than protecting our natural treasures, Congressman Porter has held high the conservation torch that his party has helped carry most of this century. He has been particularly successful in the long-term campaign to reduce the number of taxpayer-subsidized roads in our national forests. We wish him well in his retirement but will miss his congressional leadership in the worst way."

During his 20 years in Congress, Porter has played a critical role in a wide range of environmental issues. He has fought against moves to weaken the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act. Porter has been part of the successful effort to use more of the money in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the nation's largest source of funding to protect places with high recreational or natural value. The presence of toxic PCBs in Waukegan Harbor and other water quality problems involving the Great Lakes have been high on the Congressman's list of priorities. He chairs the U.S. branch of the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment. "It's awfully hard to find an environmental issue that John Porter has not addressed," said Meadows.

Accepting the award, Porter said, "I consider this a wonderful honor. I have tremendous respect for The Wilderness Society's commitment to conservation. I have worked closely with the organization during my 21 years in Congress and found it to be a superb partner in the long struggle to stop taxpayer-subsidized damage to our national forests. I can always count on The Wilderness Society for good information and savvy legislative teamwork."

Prior winners of the Ansel Adams Award include President Jimmy Carter, former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Sidney Yates (D-Chicago), former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME), Vice President Al Gore, and former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall.