(Washington, DC) The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) awarded Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) with the 2010 Pollinator Advocate Award at their 10^th Annual Conference which was held in Washington, D.C. October 20-22, 2010.  NAPPC promotes and protects pollinators and the agricultural and ecological services they provide.

“Congressman Hastings richly deserves this recognition and thanks for his actions as an outstanding and effective pollinator champion,” said Laurie Davies Adams, executive director of the Pollinator Partnership, the nonprofit that manages NAPPC.  “For example, he was directly responsible for getting first-ever conservation and research provisions for honey bees and native pollinators enacted as part of the farm bill, and has fought successfully for critical pollinator research funding in the annual appropriations process.”

“I am humbled and honored to receive the Pollinator Advocate Award,” said Hastings.  “I hope to continue to bring much-needed attention to the vital role pollinators play in our society.

“Pollinators are crucial to the survival of our ecosystems as well as the sustainability and security of our food supply,” further noted Hastings.  “Through the efforts of the Pollinator Partnership and NAPPC, we have seen great progress in regards to Colony Collapse Disorder and the health of honey bees.  But the fight isn’t over.

“We still need to increase awareness of all pollinators, including bees, bats, birds, and butterflies, in an effort to encourage the growth and survival of these important species.”

In 2010, Congressman Hastings co-chaired and co-founded the bi-partisan Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus.  Additionally, Hastings introduced a resolution recognizing the important role pollinators play in sustaining the ecosystems and supporting the goals and ideals of National Pollinator Week, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously on July 1, 2010.

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings is Vice Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a senior member of the House Rules Committee, and Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

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