Save the Manatee Club Honors
Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz

SMC Co-Chair, Helen Spivey (left), presents Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz (right) with a collector's edition manatee print signed by SMC Co-Chair, singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

(Tallahassee, Florida) Save the Manatee Club honored Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Tuesday, March 18, for her unparalleled commitment to manatee protection during the 2002 Florida legislative session.

“She really saved the manatee last year," says Co-Chairwoman of the Board, Helen Spivey. “Her ability to forge consensus amongst differing viewpoints is a rare talent. She basically took a bill that no one could agree on and advocated for a product that in the end everyone could agree on."

Patrick Rose, Director of Government Relations for the Club, explains that her efforts, which resulted in an agreed manatee peace pact in the legislature, allows all the parties to focus on other consensus efforts outside of the Tallahassee arena.

“Senator Wasserman Schultz’s efforts,” said Rose “proved that boaters and conservationists could work together to achieve positive outcomes for our state’s aquatic ecosystems. The most crucial aspect of her effort was the deal all parties made to not further modify the Manatee Sanctuary Act until we could evaluate the impacts of this legislation. That means manatees can hopefully rest easy during the 2003 and 2004 session.”

Senator Wasserman Schultz received a framed and matted collector’s edition manatee print signed by founder and Co-Chairman of the Board of Save the Manatee Club, Florida legend singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett.