Arizona Faith Network Executive Director Rev. Katie Sexton said of the legislation, "One of God's greatest creations - The Grand Canyon - has been under threat from uranium mining that would pollute the air, water, and land, as well as risk the health and livelihoods of people throughout the region. Senator Sinema's bill would protect this sacred land and renew our ability to commune with God's creation as God intended. I thank her for her work and commitment to protect the Grand Canyon."
Creation Justice Ministries Executive Director Shantha Ready Alonso noted, “Senator Sinema and Chairman Grijalva have now both demonstrated they are responding to the holy call to responsibly steward God’s creation in the Grand Canyon, thereby defending all living beings who depend on it for bodily and spiritual sustenance. It is my hope and prayer that every member of Congress also understands this call to protect the profound cultural, historical, sacred, and natural heritage that is at stake, and act accordingly.”
Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act passed by the House protects 1,006,545 acres of federal lands in Arizona from toxic mining, including any future land acquired by the Federal government. Previous mining activities have already contaminated the watershed, poisoning drinking water for nearby Native communities. Abandoned mine site clean-up has already cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Rev. Katie Sexton, Arizona Faith Network (602) 468-3818 katie.sexton@azfaithnetwork.org
Shantha Ready Alonso, Creation Justice Ministries (202) 618-2501 shantha@creationjustice.org

Creation Justice Ministries represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States. We work in cooperation with 38 national faith bodies, including mainline Protestant, historically Black Church, Baptist, Peace Church, and Orthodox communions. |