Press Release: Congressman Blumenauer Recipient of Inaugural Congressional Trailblazer Award

For immediate release
March 09, 2012
Contact: Sheila Franklin
sfranklin@AmericanHiking.org
(301) 565-6704

Congressman Blumenauer Recipient of Inaugural Congressional Trailblazer Award
American Hiking Society honors his efforts around trails

Silver Spring, MD–The American Hiking Society (AHS) presented Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3rd) with their inaugural Congressional Trailblazer award at the 15th annual Hike the Hill Congressional Trails Caucus Reception. The award recognizes Mr. Blumenauer for his many years of support for trails of all types. Mr. Blumenauer is the current Co-Chair (along with his colleague, Mary Bono-Mack, (CA-45th) of the bi-partisan Congressional Trails Caucus and is also a member of both the Open Spaces and Land Trust Caucuses. Mr. Blumenauer is an avid trail user himself and has long appreciated the many benefits trails bring to communities such as boosting local economies and helping Americans lead active, healthy lifestyles.

“American Hiking Society is proud to bestow on Congressman Earl Blumenauer our Congressional Trailblazer Award, in recognition of his years of service to promote and protect trails and our cherished public lands. His efforts will help to ensure that all Americans, now and in the future, can re-connect with nature and achieve a lifetime of fitness through outdoor recreation,” noted Gregory Miller, President of American Hiking Society. “From protecting the Timberline Trail at Mt. Hood to his unwavering commitment to the outdoors in Oregon and across our nation, Rep. Blumenauer has ably served as an outdoor recreation advocate for the people of Oregon’s 3rd District as well as the more than forty million Americans who hike and backpack.”

Mr. Blumenauer accepted his award in person and told the group, “I’m honored to receive this award from a group that is one of the most tireless advocates for policies supporting outdoor recreation. Through the bipartisan Congressional Trails Caucus, we are bringing the love of natural beauty and outdoor fitness for which Oregonians are famous to Congress and the lawmaking process. I look forward to continuing to work with the American Hiking Society to advance our common cause.”

The nation’s trails offer Americans boundless opportunities to enjoy nature, renew themselves and establish a lifetime of fitness. It is policy efforts like Mr. Blumenauer’s that will ensure these natural places are cherished and preserved today for tomorrow’s generations.