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Death notice
Phil Clapp
13 November 1953 - 17 September 2008
National Environment Trust
Washington, D.C.
Submitted by Bill Wicker
Published on 18 September 2008
Climate change expert and environmental leader Phil Clapp has died. Clapp, 54, was deputy managing director of the Pew Environmental Group. Before that he led the National Environmental Trust from 1994 until 2008. Chairman Bingaman considered Clapp a valuable and constructive resource to Members and their staffs who are working to address environmental problems, including global warming. Here is Jeff’s tribute, delivered today on the Senate floor:
“Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to express my sadness at the passing of Philip Clapp, who was the president and chief executive officer of the National Environmental Trust, from its founding in 1994 until its merger withthe Pew Charitable Trusts this year, and who then served as the deputy managing director of the Environment Group of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
“There are few of us here in the Senate who have been working on energy and environmental issues who did not also cross paths with the National Environmental Trust and Phil. He was a strong and effective advocate for action on the global warming problem, and made significant contributions to Congress’ work on bills as varied as the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act of 2006.
“One of Phil’s early jobs was on the staff of Tim Wirth, our former colleague, when Tim was a Congressman from Colorado, and Phil shared Tim’s interest and passion for international cooperation on environmental issues. Under Phil’s guidance, the National Environmental Trust was one of the major non-governmental organizations contributing to international summits relating to the environment, including both G-8 summits and international climate change negotiations.
“I would like to express my condolences to Phil’s family, and to his many colleagues here and abroad who will greatly miss him as a Friend, colleague and strategic leader.”
Bill Wicker
Communications Director
Senate Energy & Natural Resources
Current comments and reminiscences on Phil Clapp:
Philip E. Clapp, 54; Led Environmental Policy Group
Washington Post
The Pew Charitable Trusts Mourns the Loss of Phil Clapp, Deputy Managing Director, Pew Environment Group
The Pew Charitable Trusts
I was a classmate of Phil Clapp in Portola Junior High in Tarzana California. Phil was one of the smartest people I had ever met to that point. I understand that he actually wrote the history of the USSR at the age of 14. I knew him pretty well because he would always sit in front of me in class, given the chronology of our names‑‑Mine is David Cooper. One of my proudest moments was when I actually beat Phil for top student in two classes in 9th grade; Algebra 4, and Industrial Drawing. I never did that before or since. I understand that he became a strong environmental advocate and well respected within that realm. I am very proud to have known him and glad that I might have had a hand in pushing him to greater heights. Could you please send these words of condolences to his mother and siblings. I am saddened by his loss at such a young age, and at a time when the evvironment is finally at the forefront of our thought and action. He would have loved to see the changes I believe will be evident over the next decade. Thank You for allowing me to respond.
David M. Cooper