Hill Update from the Great Lakes Task Force

[Rochelle_Sturtevant@levin.senate.gov (Rochelle Sturtevant)]

     Northeast-Midwest Institute
     218 D Street, S.E.
     Washington, D.C.  20003
     (202) 544-5200
     (202) 544-0043 (fax)
     
     
     For Release: April 23, 1999
     Contact: Allegra Cangelosi 544-5200
     
     
     
     DeWine to Co-Chair Senate Great Lakes Task Force
     
        Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) has become co-chair of the Senate Great 
     Lakes Task Force.  The bipartisan group, part of the Northeast-Midwest 
     Senate Coalition, seeks to protect the environmental and economic 
     health of the Great Lakes region. 
     
        "It is no secret that the Great Lakes are vitally important to 
     Ohio," said DeWine.  "Our waterways play a key role in both our 
     economic and recreational life, with 55 million tons of cargo annually 
     being transported to and from Ohio ports, and more than $1.5 billion 
     annually going into the state economy from recreational boating.  As 
     co-chairman of the Great Lakes Task Force, I will work closely with 
     all interested parties at the state and local level to lead the Great 
     Lakes delegation in protecting and enhancing the lakes."  
     
        The Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces were formed in the 
     mid-1980s by members of the Northeast-Midwest Senate and Congressional 
     Coalitions to work in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to protect and 
     enhance the region's unique natural resources and economy.  The 
     Democratic co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force is Senator 
     Carl Levin (D-MI), who took over that position from Senator John Glenn 
     (D-OH) in January 1999.  Leaders of the House Great Lakes Task Force 
     are Reps. John Dingell (D-MI), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Steven LaTourette 
     (R-OH), and James Oberstar (D-MN). 
     
        "I welcome the opportunity to work closely with Senator DeWine in 
     the coming weeks to establish an agenda for Senate action on Great 
     Lakes issues," said Senator Levin.  "I believe that solid bipartisan 
     cooperation will be the key to the congressional contribution to 
     successful stewardship of the Great Lakes.  I also wish to acknowledge 
     the work of the Northeast-Midwest Institute in support of the Great 
     Lakes Task Forces which makes this cooperation possible."
     
        "I'm delighted that Senator DeWine has agreed to chair the Great 
     Lakes Task Force on the Senate side, and I'm especially happy that the 
     torch has been passed from one dedicated Ohioan to another," said Rep. 
     LaTourette.  "I also look forward to continued bipartisan cooperation 
     and expect that, with the help of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, 
     we'll be able to advance many causes that are important to the Great 
     Lakes states."
     
     Rochelle Sturtevant
     Coordinator, Senate Great Lakes Task Force 
     459 Russell Senate Building
     Washington, DC 20510
     Rochelle_Sturtevant@levin.senate.gov
     
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