CPR Wins Public Policy Partnership Award

The Nonprofit Policy Council of the California Association of Nonprofits honored Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) with the 2001 Public Policy Excellence Award for Partnership. The award was presented by Assemblyman Kevin Shelley and accepted on behalf of the coalition by CPR Director David Chatfield at a ceremony in the Governor's office in April. CPR's partnership award was for improving health and safety by reducing pesticide use through out California Schools. The Public Policy Excellence Awards "recognize outstanding individual nonprofit, governmental, collaborative or media efforts to develop and/or implement either singly or in partnership with others, public policy initiatives and practices that significantly improve California communities."

CPR was recognized for the extensive coalition building activity involved in passage of the Healthy Schools Act of 2000 and the ongoing Healthy Schools Campaign. Last year, Butte Environmental Council was one of over 70 organizations to actively support the healthy schools campaign. Healthy Schools Coalition members endorsed legislation, educated their members about the campaign, attended legislative meetings and spoke to the media about the campaign. Organizations involved ranged from health groups, children's advocates, consumer watchdogs, environmental justice organizations, community-based groups, religious groups and environmental organizations. These groups were instrumental in overcoming opposition to the bill lead by the Western Crop Protection Association, the lobbying group for agrochemical manufacturers. Congratulations to all the Healthy Schools Coalition members for making a difference in children's health.

CPR Director David Chatfield (left) accepts the California Association of Nonprofits 2001 Public Policy Excellence Award for Partnership on behalf of the coalition at a ceremony at the Governor's office in April. Assemblymember Kevin Shelley (D- San Francisco presented the award.
Photo by Ken Friedman.

This column originally appeared in July 2001 in the Chico Examiner.