SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Representative Athena Hollins (DFL – Saint Paul) will be named ‘Legislator of the Year - House Member Award’ by Clean Water Action Minnesota at their inaugural Brunch for Better annual event on October 8th, 2023, at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant.
The prestigious award is given to one House member and one Senate member who went above and beyond to support Clean Water Action Minnesota’s goals. Legislators of the Year for the House and Senate listen to Minnesota’s diverse communities, think strategically about how to create a healthier, safer future, and understand the value of our water.
Representative Athena Hollins, the House Majority Whip, issued the following statement:
“It was an honor to be a fierce advocate for environmental justice and fight to protect Minnesotans from PFAS pollution. It was important to me to carry the PFAS Information Disclosure bill in the House. I refused to back down from the aggressive tactics of the industry. I am grateful for this award, but it took a strong and diverse coalition of environmental justice fighters to hold corporations accountable for their actions.
Together, we designed the PFAS Information Disclosure bill to require companies to disclose the presence of PFAS in their products and in the environment. We created the PFAS Package; a comprehensive set of bills to regulate PFAS pollution and protect Minnesotans from exposure to these harmful chemicals. Finally, we crafted cumulative impact language to require companies to consider the cumulative effects of PFAS pollution when making decisions about where to site new facilities or expand existing ones. By taking these actions, we are protecting Minnesota families from the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals and ensuring everyone has access to clean water and a healthy environment.”