National Park Trust Honors Senator Angus S. King, Jr. with 24th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award

June 19, 2024

Washington, D.C. (June 19, 2024) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – On June 18th, the National Park Trust honored Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME) with the 24th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award in Washington, DC. This prestigious national award recognizes a public servant for their dedication to the environment and their exemplary service, skill, and innovation in protecting and preserving our country’s public lands and waters.

The National Park Trust acknowledged Senator King’s significant, lifetime contributions to conservation spanning five decades, from his early days as a conservation lobbyist in Maine, through his 8 years as Governor and his 11 years as a U.S. Senator. He currently serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee where he chairs the Subcommittee on National Parks. His co-sponsorship of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in 2019 was landmark legislation pivotal in protecting public lands by securing permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Additionally, he championed the Restore Our Parks Act which became part of the Great American Outdoors Act and provides $6.5 billion over 5 years to address the backlog of maintenance projects at our national park units. This illustrates his commitment to future generations, as it provides essential funding for maintaining and constructing facilities that enhance access to and enjoyment of federal lands and waters.

Senator King also serves on the Committee on Veteran Affairs, the Armed Services Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence. His sponsorship of the Gold Star Families Parks Pass Act in 2021 and more recently his co-sponsorship of ​​“Vets Get Outside Day” have been pivotal in facilitating programs that support military communities by providing increased access to public lands and waters for Gold Star families, military survivors, and active-duty personnel, addressing their mental and physical well-being.

“I am honored – and quite frankly surprised – that the National Park Trust awarded me with this prestigious honor because protecting our public lands seems to be the obvious choice,” said Senator King. “From the rocky shores of Maine to the looming Redwoods out west, our public lands are the greatest American treasure. They are home to thousands of species of wildlife and are the playground for millions of everyday Americans looking to explore the great outdoors. It is truly an honor to receive the Bruce Vento Award and can only hope that I live up to his incredible legacy.”

“Senator King’s leadership in support of our national parks and public lands is as inspirational as it is essential,” said Scott Stone, Board Chair of the National Park Trust. “His work over many years in public office does justice to the legacy of Congressman Vento, and we are proud to recognize Senator King’s outstanding achievements with the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award.”

National Park Trust established the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award in 2001 to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Minnesota congressman and former chair of the National Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. As a dedicated environmentalist, Vento championed more than 300 bills protecting our nation’s public lands and water.

“Senator Angus King embodies the spirit of the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award with his unwavering dedication to conservation spanning nearly five decades,” said Sue Vento, National Park Trust Advisory Board Member. “His tireless advocacy and legislative efforts have left an indelible mark on our nation’s public lands. His commitment to preserving these treasured spaces for future generations truly honors Bruce’s legacy.”

Past recipients include:

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

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

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 55 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador and Military Family Programs, and National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

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