On Wednesday, Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva, was elected Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, which is charged with preserving America’s public lands, nation’s parks, fisheries, wildlife, as well as oversight over Native American affairs and mineral land laws. Grijalva was supported in his election by extremists environmental groups including the Center for Biological Diversity.
Grijalva, known to his constituents as “The Toad,” has served on the committee since arriving in Congress in 2003, and has held the distinction as the highest ranking Democrat on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation since January 2007.
“I am honored to be elected Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee in the 114th Congress,” said Rep. Grijalva.
More than 180 labor, Latino, and progressive groups jointly sent a letter to Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsing him for the Ranking Member spot including:
Hispanic Federation, Center for Biological Diversity, MoveOn, Progressive Democrats of America, Green Latinos, Earthjustice, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Berkeley Partners for Parks, California Interfaith Power and Light