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March 25, 2008

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss environmental issues at OU HSC

NORMAN — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has gained a reputation as a defender of the environment, will deliver a free, public lecture titled "Our Environmental Destiny" April 18 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

His lecture, which is being sponsored by the OU College of Public Health, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the College of Health Building, 801 N.E. 13th St. A question-and-answer session and book-signing and reception will follow the keynote address.

"We are very pleased that Robert Kennedy Jr. is coming to speak at the Health Sciences Center campus," OU President David Boren said. "His speech continues our program of bringing leading figures in important fields to the Health Sciences Center campus to enrich the learning experiences of our students. Earlier this year, Gov. Mitt Romney spoke at the campus about the Massachusetts health care initiative.”

Kennedy is senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and president of the international advocacy organization Waterkeeper Alliance. He also is a clinical professor and supervising attorney at the Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic and is co-host of "Ring of Fire" on Air America Radio. Earlier in his career, he served as assistant district attorney in New York City.

Kennedy has addressed environmental concerns across the Americas and has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands.

He is credited with leading the effort to protect New York City's water supply. The New York City watershed agreement, which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and New York City watershed consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He also helped in the effort to turn back the anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.

Among his published books are The New York Times bestseller "Crimes Against Nature" (2004), "The Riverkeepers" (1977) and "Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr.: A Biography" (1977).

His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, The Nation, Outside magazine and The Village Voice.

His award-winning articles have been included in anthologies of America's best crime writing, best political writing and best science writing.

A graduate of Harvard University, Kennedy studied at the London School of Economics and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. Following graduation, he attended the Pace University School of Law, where he was awarded a master's degree in environmental law.

For more information about the lecture or for accommodations on the basis of disability, contact OU Special Events at 325-3784.

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