Representatives Espaillat and Grijalva Introduce House Resolution Honoring Environmental Justice Leader Cecil Corbin-Mark
WASHINGTON, DC --Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) introduced a resolution earlier this month to honor the life and legacy of the late environmental justice leader Cecil Corbin-Mark. Cecil Corbin-Mark was the former Deputy Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Previously in 2021, Rep. Espaillat introduced the Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Resolution in honor of his life.
“Throughout his esteemed career, Cecil-Corbin-Mark was a trailblazer in the fight for environmental justice and served as an inspiration to the individuals who knew and loved him and on the lives of those who were impacted by his work,” said Rep. Espaillat. "Cecil was a giant in his community and across the nation, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that people of color and low-income residents had a seat at the table in climate discussions. By honoring Cecil's legacy, we are honoring his impact on the sustainable future of Harlem, New York City, and our nation while reaffirming our commitment to continue our collective efforts to ensure environmental justice for the communities impacted the most.”
H.Res.595, recognizes the significant impact and legacy of Cecil Corbin-Mark in the environmental justice community and further recognizing that climate change most severely impacts vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the United States and around the world, and that it is the responsibility of the United States Government to work with its global partners to promote environmental justice and climate.
“The loss of Cecil Corbin-Mark leaves a hole in the environmental justice community’s heart,” said Grijalva. “Cecil and WE Act played an important role in the first Congressional Convening of Environmental Justice and helped lay the foundation for the coming generation of environmental justice advocates. He improved the lives of his community members and redefined progress for the residents of Harlem, New York. He dedicated his life to a moral calling and fought every day to guarantee Americans their rights to clean air, clean water, and ample outdoor space. Rather than despairing, we choose to celebrate Cecil’s pursuit of justice and equality and hold it up as a powerful example to us all.”
“We would like to thank Congressmembers Adriano Espaillat, and Raúl Grijalva for honoring the life and work of Cecil Corbin-Mark with this resolution,” said Peggy Shepard, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “Cecil was our first paid employee, and instrumental in much of the success we have achieved as an organization. He was also a highly respected leader in the environmental justice movement, and his leadership and advocacy improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, not just in Harlem but all across the country. To honor his memory and carry on his work, we have established the Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Professional Development Fellowship, helping ensure that young people of color have access to funded opportunities to gain experience in environmental justice policy advocacy.”
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