CCNC Endorses Besse

For immediate release

Jan 6, 2008

Contact: Brownie Newman, Political Director 828-243-0107

Conservation PAC endorses Dan Besse for Lt. Governor

The Conservation PAC today issued its first endorsement in the 2008 election cycle, endorsing Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse for Lt. Governor of North Carolina. The endorsement was made based on Dan Besse’s life-long commitment and leadership to conserve North Carolina’s natural resources and environmental health.

Dan Besse has dedicated much of his life to assuring a healthy environment for the people of North Carolina. Besse was the Chairman of the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission from 1985- 1990, where he led the effort to improve protections for North Carolina’s shorelines and estuaries. Besse served on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission from 1993- 2005 where he led the effort to create North Carolina’s wetland conservation rules and other standards for clean air and clean water.

Dan Besse has helped defend unique natural wonders from the New River in our mountains to Buxton Woods on our Outer Banks.

As a member of the Winston-Salem City Council, Besse has been a voice for bike and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, clean air, effective public transit, and conversion of the city fleet to low-emission vehicles. Besse is a North Carolina representative to the National League of Cities policy and advocacy committee for Energy, Environment and Natural Resources. Besse serves on the North Carolina Climate Action Plan to address the threat of global warming impacts on North Carolina communities.

“Dan Besse brings an unmatched depth of understanding and demonstrated commitment to protection of North Carolina’s communities and environment,” said Brownie Newman, Political Director for the Conservation PAC. “With the tremendous development pressures in our state, we need leaders who understand how unplanned growth can cripple the unique environmental qualities that make North Carolina a great place to live. For those reasons, we are proud to endorse Dan Besse for Lt. Governor,” said Newman.

The Conservation PAC noted that several of the other candidates have adopted positive positions on certain environmental issues during the course of the campaign, but none of the other candidates bring the real world experience and proven commitment to conservation values that Besse has achieved over the past twenty-five years.

"Dan Besse has provided great leadership on issues that mean so much to North Carolinians. He has been a champion for environmental protection and public health for many years,” said Nina Szlosberg, Chair of the Conservation PAC. “We need his kind of leadership in the state to remain competitive in the 21st Century."

The Conservation PAC is the political arm of North Carolina’s conservation community. Its members are active environmental leaders from across the state. The Conservation PAC is a non-partisan organization.