Los Angeles, Calif., February 9, 2005—The Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for mayor, city of Los Angeles.  “Antonio will be a mayor who champions the environment,” said Virgil Shields, chair of the chapter’s executive committee. “Our Chapter supports Antonio Villaraigosa’s candidacy because of his leadership on environmental issues such as the $2.1 billion safe parks, clean air, and clean water bond, where more than $220 million was allotted to the City of Los Angeles for parks, open space and wetlands; and most recently $3 million in state Proposition 40 funds to create a nature park at Ascot Hills.”

Villaraigosa ‘s environmental record and platform are superior to those of the other mayoral candidates, Shields added.  “During his term in the California State Assembly and, more recently as a member of the L.A. City Council since 2003, Antonio has led the way with important environmental legislation, policies, and initiatives.  On the council, Villaraigosa worked with environmental advocates to pass Measure O, the City water conservation bond, and helped in the settlement of the Baykeeper and Regional Water quality Control Board lawsuits that were holding up implementation of pollution control measures.”

“We need a mayor who will work with environmentalists to build more sustainable and livable communities and ensure that health and the environment are not sacrificed to City Hall politics and special interests,” said Susana Reyes, chair of the Chapter’s L.A. County political committee.  “Antonio has indicated to us that he will use the planning process as a vehicle for creating a vital, healthy city with policies for land use, housing, infrastructure, parks and open space, schools and green building techniques that will sustain the environment and protect our natural resources.”

Antonio Villaraigosa has been endorsed by the Sierra Club three times in the past: in his races for the State Assembly, the L.A. mayor’s race in 2001, and City Council in 2003.

The Angeles Chapter spans Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California.   Its 58,000 members represent nearly eight percent of the Sierra Club's 750,000 national membership. The Sierra Club has helped elect numerous environmentally sensitive candidates to public office, and maintains a working relationship with legislators and elected and appointed officials throughout the country.

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