March 9, 2006: Robert Kennedy, Jr.
Robert Kennedy, Jr. was named one of Time Magazine鈥檚 "Heroes for the Planet" for his
successful aid to the environmental group Riverkeeper in the fight to restore the
Hudson River.
Kennedy serves as chief prosecuting attorney for Riverkeeper; president of Waterkeeper
Alliance; senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council; and a clinical
professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law鈥檚 Environmental
Litigation Clinic.
Among Mr. Kennedy鈥檚 published books are the New York Time鈥檚 bestseller 鈥淐rimes Against
Nature鈥� (2004); 鈥淭he Riverkeepers鈥� (1997); 鈥淛udge Frank M. Johnson Jr.: A Biography鈥�
(1977); and 鈥淪t. Francis of Assisi鈥� (a children鈥檚 book). His award-winning articles
have been featured in anthologies of America鈥檚 Best Crime Writing, Best Political
Writing and Best Science Writing.
In 鈥淐rimes Against Nature鈥�, Kennedy charges that the George W. Bush administration
has taken corporate favoritism to a level that threatens the very foundation of American
health, national security and democracy. 鈥淐rimes Against Nature鈥� is recommended to
both Democrats and Republicans鈥攊ncluding farmers and fishermen whom Kennedy represents
in lawsuits against polluters.
After graduating from Harvard University, Kennedy studied at the London School of
Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School.
Afterwards, he attended Pace University School of Law, where he achieved a master鈥檚
degree in Environmental Law. Kennedy鈥檚 career includes the position of former assistant
district attorney for New York City.
Kennedy has focused on environmental issues across the Americas. He has aided several
indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada and successfully negotiated treaties
protecting traditional homelands. He is credited with leading the fight to protect
New York City鈥檚 water supply. He has prosecuted sewerage treatment plants to comply
with the Clean Water Act.
Kennedy takes special care to promote municipal and government responsibility in environmental
areas. He has contributed much to uncovering the mercury/autism controversy. Research
shows that there has been a significant increase in the number of autistic children
in the United States due to vaccinations containing a mercury additive.
He is also a licensed master falconer and a white-water paddling enthusiast.
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