Outdoor Alliance Commends Representative Raúl Grijalva for his Leadership

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

All of us at Outdoor Alliance are truly heartbroken to hear about Rep. Raul Grijalva’s passing. He was a tireless champion for public lands and waters, climate, environmental justice, outdoor recreation, most importantly, all of the people those issues touch.

“Our hearts are with his family, staff, and colleagues, and I truly hope that our country’s leaders continue to look to him as a model for courageous leadership on some of the very most important issues we collectively face. I know we will,” said Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations.

Outdoor Alliance is grateful to Representative Raúl Grijalva for his longstanding leadership as both Chair and Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Grijalva has been a steadfast champion for public lands and waters, environmental justice, and the outdoor recreation community. His commitment to safeguarding the natural world and the communities of people it supports has been unparalleled. 

“Representative Grijalva has been a tireless advocate for the outdoors, consistently prioritizing the protection of our public lands and waters,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. “His leadership has ensured that these vital spaces are preserved for future generations. His focus on climate change and on ensuring Americans have access to green space have improved the outdoors for everyone. We are deeply grateful for his dedication to advancing policies that reflect the values of outdoor enthusiasts across the country.”

Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance, echoed these sentiments. “Rep. Grijalva’s work has both pointed the way towards a better future for our public lands and waters and also helped to deliver tangible progress in their protection and sound management. He is a true champion for conservation, but also someone who always acts with a keen sensitivity to the communities of people our lands and waters support. We applaud his leadership and look forward to continuing to work together to achieve these shared goals.”

Among his many accomplishments, we are particularly grateful for Rep. Grijalva’s leadership in passing the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation Management and Recreation Act. His efforts have also helped point the way toward a better and more just future for public lands and waters through bills like the Public Lands and Waters Climate Solutions Act, the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act, and the Environmental Justice For All Act. His work, alongside current Chair Bruce Westerman, has brought us to the cusp of passing a transformative recreation policy package, the EXPLORE Act. Outdoor Alliance is grateful for his unwavering support of the outdoor community and his commitment to preserving the landscapes that inspire us all.