Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) this week introduced legislation that would support the Tucson-based Udall Foundation, named after Arizona’s former U.S. Congressmen Mo and Stewart Udall. The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act would authorize the foundation until 2028. A companion bill, led by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), was passed unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday.

The foundation honors the Udall brothers’ work on natural resources, public lands, and environmental issues. It awards scholarships to students, supports policy research and advocacy work on behalf of Native Americans, and provides mediation and training services through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

“The Udall Foundation honors Arizona’s former U.S. Representatives Mo and Stewart Udall’s lasting legacies on our nation’s natural resources and public lands,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “The foundation has also been an impactful platform for our leaders on the local, tribal, state, and national level when navigating conflicts surrounding landownership, environmental concerns, and other issues. This bill ensures these important Udall Foundation programs will continue operating and I am proud to be introducing this effort alongside a bipartisan group of my southwestern colleagues.”

"I am honored to co-lead this legislation that reauthorizes the Udall Foundation," said Rep. Stansbury, a former Udall Foundation Fellow. "Just as the Udall Foundation gave me the means to explore my passion for understanding and protecting our water resources, I am excited that new scholars and interns will also be able to explore and develop their passions. I’m proud to be a part of the continuation of Mo and Stewart Udall's extraordinary legacies to protect the environment and ensure Indigenous scholars can contribute their expertise to our higher education institutions and our government."

“Mo and Stewart Udall were two great Arizonans whose advocacy for our public lands and tribal communities left an enduring impact on our state,” said Sen. Kelly. “The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act will honor their legacy and ensure the Foundation continues their important work.”  

“The Udall Foundation is excited to continue its nonpartisan mission by training and assisting public officials in the application of environmental collaboration and conflict resolution principles and promoting the next generation of leaders in environmental and Tribal public policy and Native health care,” said Charlie Rose, Chair of the Udall Foundation Board of Trustees. “The Board is grateful to the sponsors of the legislation, Senator Kelly and Representative Ciscomani, and the original co-sponsor Representative Stansbury.”

Issues: Congress 

Original source can be found here.