Clean Water Action Names Bennett ‘Legislative Champion’

STATE HOUSE — Clean Water Action has named Rep. David A. Bennett ‘Legislative Champion’ for his work promoting environmental protection and sustainability as both a state rep. and chairman of the House Environmental and Natural Resources committee.

The award was presented at Clean Water Action’s 22^nd annual “Breakfast of Champions Friday, May 17, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at at the Edgewood Yacht Club in Cranston, according to the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau. 

“I’m so grateful for all the work Clean Water Action does and I’m honored to receive this award,” said Bennett, (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston). “As an avid outdoorsman, I love being out in the woods, walking my dogs and getting out on the water. I’m happy to be here among folks who feel the same way and are also working hard to keep our ecosystem healthy and beautiful.”

Representative Bennett was the lead House sponsor of the 2023 ban on polystyrene food containers (2023-H 5090A) and is the lead sponsor of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging bill (2024-H 7023) to fight waste from packaging. Additionally, he has been a leading voice in the effort to prevent and clean-up littered “nips” and other forms of plastic pollution.

“In addition to being one of the nicest legislators you’ll ever meet, Representative Bennett is a passionate leader for clean water and our environment,” said Jed Thorp, Rhode Island director for Clean Water Action. “As chair of the environment committee he’s helped move the state away from single-use plastics and continues to fight for improvements to how we handle waste and recycling.”

Clean Water Action is a national organization founded in 1972 during the campaign for the Clean Water Act. In Rhode Island, the group works to build a clean water and clean energy future through outreach, education, organizing, advocacy and policy action at the state and national levels.

Clean Water Action’s annual “Breakfast of Champions” took place Friday, May 17. Also awarded at the breakfast were Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), University of Rhode Island Clinical Professor of Environmental Communication Dr. Sunshine Menezes, President of the Friends of the Saugatucket Bill McCusker, The Childhood Lead Action Project, IBEW Local 99 Business Manager Joe Walsh and youth activist and leader Jaylyn McNeill.