MEDIA ADVISORY April 16, 2004 For further information, contact: Barbara Miranda, 781 643 6740

Rep. Ed Markey Honored with “Pathfinder Award” from Dozens of Peace and Security Organizations

Following the Patriots’ Day Parade in Arlington, MA on April 19, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) will accept a special "Pathfinder Award" for his lifetime of outstanding leadership in the area of arms control and nonproliferation.

Representatives of 24 national organizations – focusing on arms control, nuclear nonproliferation, peace and security – who have worked with the Congressman over the years will present the award.

“For decades, Ed Markey has played a vital role in helping us to take a step back from the brink,” noted Susan Shaer, Executive Director of Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND). “He has been a leader in safeguarding our country, our world, and our future. And he’s had the courage to stick by his convictions, even when the wind has changed. Unfortunately, this is a moment of great peril; fortunately, Ed is still leading the fight for peace and security.”

The “Pathfinder Award” plaque features a compass that “points the way” – much as Rep. Markey has done in arms control for decades. He has been at the forefront of a tireless campaign in support of nuclear nonproliferation and opposing new nuclear weapons. In just one small example of his leadership, he co-chairs the Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation with Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT); he has been a staunch supporter of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Kevin Knobloch, President of the Union of Concerned Scientists, will make a brief introduction and Susan Shaer, Executive Director of Women’s Action for New Directions, will present Rep. Markey with the award.

The groups honoring Rep. Markey are: Alliance for Nuclear Accountability; American Friends Service Committee; Arms Control Advocacy Collaborative; Arms Control Association; British American Security Information Council; Center for Defense Information; Council for a Livable World; Federation of American Scientists; Fourth Freedom Forum; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Greenpeace; Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies; Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation; Methodists United for Peace with Justice; Natural Resources Defense Council; NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; Nuclear Threat Reduction Campaign; Peace Action; Physicians for Social Responsibility; Ploughshares Fund; Russian American Nuclear Security Advisory Council; 20/20 Vision; Union of Concerned Scientists; Women's Action for New Directions

Women’s Action for New Directions

WAND empowers women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. Other programs of WAND include WiLL (Women Legislators’ Lobby), STAND (Students Take Action for New Directions), and WAND Education Fund. For more information, see the web site: www.wand.org

Since 1997: Co-chairs the Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation with Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT).

July 2003: Rep. Markey and 81 lawmakers send letter to House Appropriations subcommittee on Energy and Water Development urging rejection of Bush Administration's request for $15.5 million to fund nuclear bunker buster.

May 2003: Rep. Markey and 77 lawmakers send letter to House Armed Services urging rejection of Bush Administration's request for $15.5 million to fund nuclear bunker buster.

February 2003: Rep. Markey and 89 lawmakers send letter to President Bush requesting continued moratorium on nuclear weapons testing.

December 2002: Rep. Markey criticizes President Bush’s decision to deploy an untested, immature national missile defense, saying the Bush administration “is rushing headlong to deploy a missile defense system that simply doesn’t work.”

November 2002: Rep. Markey Sends Letter to Secretary Abraham opposing the Modern Pit Facility, a proposed plant to produce new nuclear weapons.

July 2002: Rep. Markey and 55 colleagues call on House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee to cut funds for the nuclear bunker buster and enhanced test readiness programs

May 2002: Rep. Markey and 39 colleagues call on House Armed Services Committee to defund the nuclear bunker buster and enhanced test readiness program

April 2002: Rep. Markey and 33 colleagues criticize Bush effort to develop "battlefield" nuclear weapons and targeting of non-nuclear nations.

March 2002: Rep. Markey Releases GAO report on the Results and Limitation of an Early National Missile Defense Flight, calls for independent oversight and testing milestones to ensure an effective defense.

February 2002: Rep. Markey and 75 other colleagues send letter to President Bush opposing nuclear testing and new nuclear weapons development.