U.S. Congressman Ed Case was recently given the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s 2023 Leadership Award during a recent gala in Washington, DC which wrapped up Capitol Hill Ocean Week.

The Foundation honors political leaders who demonstrate a commitment to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes stewardship. Previous awardees include President Clinton, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, and U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island).

The Foundation recognized Case, who was an early advocate for the designation of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2006 and currently working expanding protections for the Pacific Remote Islands, as a longtime leader in ocean policy in Congress.

Case shared the 2023 Leadership Award with his colleague, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona while two fellow Hawai’i residents – Solomon (Sol) Pili Kahoʻohalahala and William J. Ailā – received the Foundation’s Sanctuary Wavemaker Award for their critical work benefiting national marine sanctuaries.

Photo credit: Office or Congressman Ed Case