Bronxite Honored By EPA

New York, NY, April 21, 2005—Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posthumously honored Yolanda Garcia, the Bronx community activist who devoted her life to addressing issues of environmental and social justice in the South Bronx.  Garcia, who passed away in February, was nominated for the EPA’s prestigious Environmental Quality Award by Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY).

“Yolanda Garcia was such an important leader in our community, and I am glad that she is being recognized for her efforts,” said Serrano.  “She forced policy-makers and planners to think about the effects of their decisions, and refused to let the environment be considered simply an issue for the affluent and well-educated.  Environmental problems affect everyone, and Yolanda Garcia was a tireless advocate for a better environment in one of the poorest parts of .  We already miss her terribly.”

Garcia’s award was presented today in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Earth Day at the EPA’s headquarters in
Manhattan
.  The EPA selects Environmental Quality Award winners from non-profit, environmental and community groups, individual citizens, educators, business organizations, and members of the news media. 

Garcia, the late director of We Stay/Nos Quedamos Committee, an organization that emerged over a decade ago from her efforts to organize residents of the South Bronx to demand a role in the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Program, an area revitalization effort.  Ms. Garcia helped to elevate EPA’s awareness of the community’s perspective on some of the negative impacts of municipal waste transfer stations.  In 2000, she established a multi-year partnership with

New York

University

and local non-profits to conduct research and community education about the causes of the
South Bronx
’s asthma crisis.  These partnership and studies were funded through federal monies secured by Congressman Serrano.  Yolanda Garcia passed away February 17, 2005.

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