Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to Receive Civic Leader Award at the Breath of Life™ Awards on November 20, 2014

Los Angeles, CA, November 13, 2014 --(PR.com)-- On November 20, 2014, Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is pleased to recognize Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti with the Civic Leader Award for his fresh, innovation efforts to create a healthier, greener, more sustainable Los Angeles.

Mayor Garcetti’s nomination as the Civic Leader Honoree is largely influenced by his dedication to developing and implementing “green” initiatives for community health and wellness, alternative energy sources, environmental and construction design in Los Angeles.

“We’re so pleased to have Mayor Garcetti join our panel of 2014 honorees,” said Enrique Chiock, CEO of BREATHE LA. “With an increasing need for smarter use of community energy resources, there’s no better time to be thinking about ways we can improve the quality of life for residents in Los Angeles and beyond. This goal has always been a cornerstone of BREATHE LA, and it’s exciting to see it scale through Mayor Garcetti’s leadership.”

"The ‘greening’ of Los Angeles is critical,'' Garcetti said. “With the growing population, we recognize that new technologies and ideas are needed to help us develop better living conditions for our communities. It’s time to really focus on creating healthier neighborhoods, improving the quality of air and water, and protecting the resources we have.”

A short list of Mayor Garcetti’s environmental accomplishments include:
- Authored the nation's widest-reaching Green building ordinance
- Authored legislation making Los Angeles the nation's largest city with a solar feed in tariff
- Introduced legislation to create a Coastal Planning Program to protect coastal areas
- Created “green streets” in L.A. to divert standing water toward the restoration of groundwater
- In the city's smallest district, Mayor Garcetti tripled the number of parks from 16 to 47
- Created the Council's Energy and Environment Committee to create healthier neighborhoods
- Authored the Food and Flowers Freedom Act to promote community gardens and healthy foods
- Deployed car-sharing in his district and introduced bike sharing legislation

The 2014 Breath of Life™ Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 beginning at 6pm at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. For a complete list of 2014 Breath of Life™ Awards Honorees and to purchase tickets, visit www.breathela.org/breathoflifeawards.

For 2014 Breath of Life™ Awards sponsorship information, contact Joan Ford at 323.935.8050 x223 or visit www.breathela.org.

About BREATHE LA
Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is a nonprofit organization established in 1903 dedicated to creating clean air and healthy lungs for Los Angeles County residents through research, education, advocacy and technology. BREATHE LA focuses outreach and education efforts on community health fairs, the Better Breathers Clubs™ and collaborations with leading local organizations that are taking action to improve environmental impacts in neighborhoods most affected by poor air quality. Their mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life for those suffering with asthma, COPD, lung disease and other breathing conditions. BREATHE LA is part of BREATHE California, the statewide coalition with sister organizations in Central Coast, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara-San Benito Counties. For more information, visit breatheLA.org.