ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) recently received the Environmental Leader of the Year In Golf Award from the Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation (GGEF), a non-profit golf industry alliance that promotes sustainable environmental stewardship in golf.
“As chair of the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, I’ve worked hard to balance the needs of good environmental stewardship and a sound economy,” said Rep. Smith. “It is an honor to be recognized as a recipient of Georgia’s first Environmental Leaders of the Year In Golf Award. Golf is an important industry in Georgia, where we proudly pioneer new grasses and techniques that benefit all. We can’t do enough bragging about that!”
Rep. Smith received the award for her efforts in resolving Georgia’s critical water issues in recent years. The award was presented to Rep. Smith by Stewart Cink, past British Open champion and U.S. Ryder Cup regular.
“Golf generates $2.4-billion in direct economic impact to the state every year and supports nearly 57,000 jobs,” says GGEF chair, Tim Cunningham, certified golf course superintendent at Coosa Country Club in Rome. “All of this was imperiled in 2008, not just because of the extreme drought affecting the state but also because of the draconian measures some proposed to deal with it. But the state’s water future – so perilous not so long ago – is now far more assured thanks to the leadership of Sen. Tolleson and Rep. Smith. That’s something every citizen should be grateful for and we in the golf industry wish to make our gratitude known through these awards.”
Representative Lynn Smith represents the citizens of District 70, which includes portions of Coweta and Heard counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1996, and is currently the Chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees. For more information about Rep. Smith, please visit her official Facebook fan page at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/State-Rep-Lynn-Smith-R-70/62557803511
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