A Voice for Conservation

The Honorable James P. Moran Jr. To Receive the Spirit of Defenders Award for Public Service

By Norm Dicks, former Congressman from Washington

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has never had it easy. Through the decades, lawmakers have pushed it one way, pulled it another, tried to cut it up or even outright kill it altogether. But it’s survived the pummeling, and that’s thanks in no small part to my friend and colleague, Jim Moran from Virginia.

For 12 terms and more than 20 years, he’s gone to bat for the ESA, never once shying away from a challenge. Not a few would-be antagonists have gotten more than they bargained for when Jim Moran’s formidable voice resounded at them from across the House floor.

The ESA is a cornerstone of conservation in the United States. The health, prosperity and beauty of our lands and wildlife depend on its strength. Jim Moran knew how much was at stake, how critical it was to protect the ESA, and he had the grit and the skill to do the job.

But his role as careful steward of our nation’s natural resources didn’t stop with the Endangered Species Act.

As Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Jim has been one of the outstanding leaders in support of the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service. He also has worked hard to protect our natural lands from destruction and development. No one in Congress better understands the importance of keeping our wild places wild than Jim Moran.

He has a wonderful knack for catching — and promptly striking — anti-environment provisions in spending bills. In the face of adversity —- a tough economy, a meager budget, strong opposition from other House members — he still fought and won many battles over the future of endangered species, wildlife refuges, migratory birds and more.

But his dedication and vision as a conservation leader was perhaps never on display as much as when he was working on funding issues. When Jim talks, appropriators listen. Countless times he has gone to bat for proper funding for our nation’s conservation agencies. Countless times his was the voice heard eloquently talking about the impact cuts would have on our natural heritage.

Jim doesn’t think much of the short-term continuing resolutions that have become the norm for federal spending, saying “you can’t keep kicking the can down the road…the can gets heavier and heavier each time.” In other words, Jim takes the long view. And that has been true of so much of his work on Capitol Hill.  The enormous dedication and effort he has put in as a Congressman hasn’t been just for the people and wildlife of today—it has been for future generations, to ensure that they, too, would have a beautiful America to enjoy, appreciate and care for.

When he was first elected in 1990, the people he represented in Virginia knew they had a smart and skillful ally in the House. But what none of us knew then was what an incredible difference he would make for our natural heritage, for the nation as a whole.

All of us are richer for Jim’s fierce and effective advocacy. When he retires at the end of this year, his legacy of conservation leadership — and his gritty tenacity — will be remembered for many years to come.