National Park Trust to Honor Congressman Fred Upton (MI-6th District) with 2022 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award

March 29, 2022

Washington, D.C. March 29, 2022/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – National Park Trust is pleased to announce that the 2022 recipient of the 22nd Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award is Congressman Frederick S. Upton (MI-6th District). This national award honors a public servant for his or her commitment to the environment, and their service, skill, and innovation in support of our public lands and waters. The award will be presented at a reception in Washington D.C. on June 22.

“Having grown up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Congressman Upton has dedicated his life to the families of Southwest Michigan, representing the 6th District since 1993 and the 4th District from 1987 to 1993. Throughout his decades of public service, he has been a strong advocate for policies that protect our natural resources, public lands and waters both locally and nationally including the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Great American Outdoors Act”, said Bill Brownell, chair, National Park Trust Board of Trustees.

Upton serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and was the chair from 2010-2016. He is currently the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and serves on the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

In addition, he is well known for his bipartisan work in the House, where he serves on the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

Other notable accomplishments include the co-sponsorship of the National Heritage Area Act, the Great American Outdoors Act, Tongass Timber Reform Act, the Automobile National Heritage Act, and the authorization of the construction of the World War II Memorial.

Throughout his 35-year career, Upton has shown a special interest in protecting public waters co-sponsoring the Microbead-Free Waters Act, advocating for resources for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and supporting the Great Lakes Task Force.

“I am incredibly honored to accept the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award. With the pandemic, people in record numbers turned to the great outdoors for recreation and comfort. We all gained a deeper appreciation for nature and the well-being it inspires. Whether it’s keeping our water free of toxic chemicals, ensuring funding for parks, or protecting our Great Lakes, these are all important endeavors. We truly have a national treasure right in our backyard, and it is the duty of every Michigander to protect and invest in our lakes. Thank you for selecting me for this award and I look forward to preserving our national and state environments for generations to come”, said Congressman Fred Upton.

National Park Trust established the Vento Award in 2001 to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Congressman from Minnesota, dedicated environmentalist, and a champion of legislation for America’s parks.

Past recipients include:

• Patty Murray (WA)
• Maize Hirono (HI)
• Richard Burr (NC)
• Martin Heinrich (NM)
• Lamar Alexander (TN)
• Betty McCollum (MN)
• Rob Portman (OH)
• Ron Wyden (OR)
• Mike Simpson (ID)
• Jeff Bingaman (NM)
• Susan Collins (ME)
• Mark Udall (CO)
• Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA)
• Harry Reid (NV)
• George Miller (CA)
• John McCain (AZ)
• Bob Graham (FL)
• John Lewis (GA)
• Connie Morella (MD)
• John Seiberling (OH)
• Gov. Lowell Thomas, Jr (AK)

All proceeds from the Vento Award event benefit the Park Trust’s mission and programs.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust is a non-profit dedicated to the protection of our national parks. The Park Trust preserves parks today and creates park stewards for tomorrow by acquiring the missing pieces of our national parks and building a pipeline of future caretakers of our public lands and waters by getting kids to parks. Since 1983, the Park Trust has completed 73 land projects in 31 states, one U.S. Territory, and Washington, D.C. Our national Buddy Bison Programs and Kids to Parks Day support 300 Title I schools annually in under-served communities. Find out more at parktrust.org.

 Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.

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