Julie Belaga
Encyclopedia
Julie D. Belaga is a former Connecticut
politician
. She served in the Connecticut House of Representatives
from 1977 until 1987. She chose not to seek re-election to her seat in 1986 in order to seek the 1986 Republican
nomination for governor.
After becoming the Republican nominee, she lost the November election to the popular Democratic
Governor William A. O'Neill.
Born and raised in Boston
, Massachusetts
, Belaga moved to Connecticut with her family in 1965 and immediately became involved in local politics. Prior to being elected to the State House of Representatives, she served as Chairman of the Westport
Planning and Zoning Commission
from 1972 to 1976.
While serving in the legislature, Belaga had major legislative successes on a number of critical environmental issues. She took the lead in drafting and implementing Connecticut's coastal management laws that protect coastline and valuable resources. She served on Connecticut's water supply task force and led the fight to assure safe drinking water in Connecticut. She played an active role in the development of Connecticut's hazardous waste management service and was instrumental in realigning and reforming the state's Resource Recovery Authority.
Belaga received an education degree from Syracuse University
.
In 1990 Belaga was appointed by President George H. W. Bush
as Region 1 (New England) Director of the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). She was later appointed by President Bill Clinton
to the Export-Import Bank
.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She served in the Connecticut House of Representatives
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents...
from 1977 until 1987. She chose not to seek re-election to her seat in 1986 in order to seek the 1986 Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination for governor.
After becoming the Republican nominee, she lost the November election to the popular Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor William A. O'Neill.
Born and raised in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Belaga moved to Connecticut with her family in 1965 and immediately became involved in local politics. Prior to being elected to the State House of Representatives, she served as Chairman of the Westport
Westport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
Planning and Zoning Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission
A Planning and Zoning Commission is a local elected or appointed government board charged with recommending to the local town or city council the boundaries of the various original zoning district and appropriate regulations to be enforced therein and any proposed amedments thereto and shall...
from 1972 to 1976.
While serving in the legislature, Belaga had major legislative successes on a number of critical environmental issues. She took the lead in drafting and implementing Connecticut's coastal management laws that protect coastline and valuable resources. She served on Connecticut's water supply task force and led the fight to assure safe drinking water in Connecticut. She played an active role in the development of Connecticut's hazardous waste management service and was instrumental in realigning and reforming the state's Resource Recovery Authority.
Belaga received an education degree from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
In 1990 Belaga was appointed by President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
as Region 1 (New England) Director of the Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA). She was later appointed by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
to the Export-Import Bank
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The Export-Import Bank of the United States is the official export credit agency of the United States federal government. It was established in 1934 by an executive order, and made an independent agency in the Executive branch by Congress in 1945, for the purposes of financing and insuring...
.