National Weather Service Employees Organization Endorses Senator Schatz for Re-election

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Weather Service Employees Organization is pleased to announce its endorsement of Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in his re-election bid for the U.S. Senate.

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"Earth Day with its theme, "The Face of Climate Change" is most appropriate for announcing our organization's endorsement of Senator Schatz," said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. "Senator Schatz recognizes the important role of the dedicated employees of the National Weather Service and their mission of saving lives and property. He cares deeply about the earth, the environment, and is working to solve the problems of climate change."

"I'd like to thank the National Weather Service Employees Organization for its endorsement," said Senator Schatz. "Severe weather has been a devastating byproduct of climate change. As Lieutenant Governor, I led the charge for clean energy infrastructure and petroleum independence through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Now, in the United States Senate, I am working to bring that success to the federal stage. We simply cannot ignore climate change. I will be a leader in the U.S. Senate for clean energy, and look forward to partnering with NWSEO as we fight to reverse climate change."

Senator Schatz supports fully funding the National Weather Service to maintain their life-saving work without degradation of service to the American public. In 2012, Hawaii experienced a year of severe weather including hail, flooding, and landslides. Schatz experienced firsthand how the National Weather Service works in cooperation with federal, state, and local officials to help minimize the impact of these storms. He knows the importance of local weather forecast offices, especially during severe weather events, and supports keeping them open across the country.

Schatz is a strong supporter of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and is committed to keeping the PTWC in Hawaii. He is a strong advocate for opening a third tsunami warning center in the Caribbean.

NWSEO is the labor organization and professional association that represents 4,000 employees of NOAA in the U.S. Department of Commerce, including:

• National Weather Service employees, including those at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii,
• Fisheries enforcement attorneys,
• "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft crew,
• Weather Satellite Technicians,
• NOAA Hurricane researchers and scientists.

NWSEO is confident that Senator Schatz will continue to effectively secure the funding necessary to make Hawaii more prepared for natural disasters.

SOURCE National Weather Service Employees Organization