Jan. 29, 2009
Vol. 40, No. 22

For further information, contact Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

House Speaker Robert F. Gilligan receives Legislative Award from Delaware Association of Conservation Districts 

DOVER – The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD) presented House Speaker Robert F. Gilligan, D-Sherwood Park, with the Association’s Legislative Award on Jan. 13. The award is presented annually to a legislator for outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to conservation efforts in the state of Delaware. Representative Gilligan has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1972.          

During his 37 years as an elected official he has had an ongoing relationship with the New Castle Conservation District (NCCD). He has worked closely with the District to install conservation practices for constituents. He has been a long-time supporter of and provided funding for collaborative urban and community stormwater management and drainage projects by the NCCD, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), New Castle County and the Department of Transportation. 

Representative Gilligan has served as the House representative on the Joint Finance Committee and as Chair of the Bond Bill Committee. He has been a leading advocate of state funding for the state Conservation Cost-Share Program, the Tax Ditch Program and the 21st Century Fund RC&D appropriation. During the past three years he has provided funding in excess of $278,000 for numerous conservation projects in New Castle County. 

Throughout his career, he has always made it a priority to promote conservation. Representative Gilligan’s leadership and support have produced countless changes in public policy that have benefited not only his constituents, but Delaware as a whole. Because of the commitment and support of legislators such as Representative Gilligan, Delaware’s three conservation districts can continue their efforts in conjunction with their partners and landowners to conserve Delaware’s precious natural resources.

“As a member of the Board of Supervisors for the New Castle Conservation District, I know firsthand of Speaker Gilligan’s strong support for Conservation Districts and the environment. I was honored to present Representative Gilligan with the DACD Legislative Award on behalf of our Association,” DACD Vice President Paul Morrill Jr. said. “The continued support of legislators is critical to getting conservation work done in Delaware. We are very fortunate to have his support.”

Past recipients of this DACD award include Senators David McBride, Thurman Adams, Jr., Nancy Cook, and Gary Simpson and Representatives Bobby Quillen (deceased) and George Carey. 

The DACD is a statewide organization for the supervisors of the State’s three conservation districts. DACD is a voluntary, non-profit alliance which provides a forum for discussion and coordination among the state’s Conservation Districts as they work to ensure the wise use and treatment of our natural resources.