12/9/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2003
Gibbons Honored for Outstanding Commitment to Mining
Nevada Lawmaker Receives Distinguished Service to Minerals Industry Award
Washington, D.C.—Co-Chairman and founder of the Congressional Mining Caucus, Congressman Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.) received the Northwest Mining Association’s Distinguished Service to Minerals Industry Award this weekend at the annual convention in Spokane, Washington.
“As a geologist and life-long Nevadan, I understand how critical mining is to Nevada and to our country,” stated Gibbons. “I am proud to have received this award, but I am even more proud that working with President Bush we were able to overturn some of the most burdensome and unnecessary regulations imposed on the mining industry by the previous Administration.”
“No one knows and understands the mining industry and what Congress and the Administration must do to ensure a strong, viable domestic mining industry better than Congressman Gibbons,” said Laura Skaer, Executive Director of the Northwest Mining Association.
Skaer specifically highlighted Gibbons’ efforts and discussions with the Department of Interior that led to the overturning of the erroneous and onerous 1997 Millsite Opinion. “No one deserves this award more,” Skaer concluded.
Congressman Gibbons was selected to receive the 2003 Distinguished Service to the Minerals Industry Award because of his outstanding support and advocacy for a strong and viable domestic hardrock mining industry since he was first elected to Congress in 1996. He co-founded and currently chairs the House Mining Caucus and has held a series of oversight hearings around the West on the need for responsible laws and policies that strengthens the domestic mining industry. Gibbons also received the MacKay School of Mines Alumnus of the Year Award in 1999.
