Sierra Club endorses Gore for president

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing his record on the environment, the Sierra Club Saturday endorsed Al Gore's run for the United States presidency in November.

"The Sierra Club endorses Vice President Gore because he is committed to cutting air and water pollution and protecting our nation's treasured forests and wildlands," Robert Cox, the group's president, said in a statement.

Gore

The Sierra Club has a long history of endorsing Democratic candidates. The group said it did consider the candidacy of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, from the Green Party, but decided it was more important to back a candidate who could defeat Texas Gov. George W. Bush,.

Cox said Gore helped strengthen clean air health standards, sped clean up of Superfund toxic waste sites, reduced automobile tailpipe pollution, and protected America's spectacular landscapes.

"This is the kind of leadership the American people are seeking in our next president," he said.

Bush, the presumed Republican nominee for the president, would weaken toxic waste cleanup standards and increase logging in national forests, Cox said.

Gore spokesman Douglas Hattaway said the endorsement is important because clean air and water are important issues for many voters.

"We're very excited by an endorsement of such a respected and influential organization," Hattaway said. "It carefully went over the records and agendas of all candidates, and we're proud they chose to endorse Al Gore."

Cox is to appear with Gore at a campaign event Monday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The decision was based on a survey of the environmental group's local chapters and volunteer leaders. Members overwhelmingly favored Gore.

"Our members believe that a vote for Gore is the best way to protect our families from pollution and safeguard our nation's landscapes for future generations to enjoy," Cox said.

Saturday, July 22, 2000

• Cheney, Danforth emerge as Bush's top choices
  
• In words and song, hundreds bid farewell to Sen. Paul Coverdell
  
• Sierra Club endorses Gore for president
  
• Clinton, GOP air differences on tax cuts
  

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