Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise


Fox News story hits key questions about Teresa Heinz Kerry's donations to extremist greens

HOME    ISSUES    OPPOSITION    PROJECTS    DEFENDERS    WISE USE    BOOKSTORE    ARCHIVE

Heinz Kerry Foundations Tied to Enviros

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

  

William LaJeunesse

William LaJeunesse:

While most Americans are just getting to know would-be Democratic first lady Teresa Heinz Kerry, the billionaire heiress is no stranger to environmentalists, who have dubbed her "St. Teresa" for her generosity to green causes.
 

If money talks, Teresa Heinz Kerry speaks volumes. She is among America's richest women. And with family assets estimated at between 1 and 3 billion dollars, she would make John Kerry the wealthiest president in U.S. history.
Still, it's not her personal wealth that some are concerned with, but the powerful private foundations she commands.
 
Fred Krupp


Fred Krupp, Environmental Defense, Inc.:

The biggest influence Teresa's likely to have will be by continuing to work through her foundations, which for so long have supported the environmental cause.
 

William LaJeunesse: Heinz Kerry is chairman of the Howard Heinz Endowment and the Heinz Family Foundation, and is also on the board of the Vera Heinz Endowment. With assets of $1.2 billion, the foundations give out $50 million a year - much of that to environmental groups.

 
Ron Arnold


Ron Arnold, Center for Defense of Free Enterprise:

It tells us she would be much the same as first lady as she has been a philanthropist - giving money to people she likes and making sure it is spent against those she doesn't.
 
League of Conservation Voters rallyLeague of Conservation Voters rally: What a great time to send George W. Bush back to Texas!
 William LaJeunesse: The League of Conservation Voters spent six figures supporting John Kerry's campaign. Although it did not receive Heinz foundation money this year, it has received tens of thousands in the past. And its members still do.
 

Months before the League endorsed Kerry, Heinz foundations gave $300,000 to Environmental Defense, the NRDC and Wilderness Society.

All three have since attacked President Bush for "endangering" citizens' health, "dismantling" environmental laws and "selling out" America's wild heritage.
John Kerry and Teresa Heinz KerryTeresa spent 20 years on the board of Environmental Defense, which is currently suing the EPA on clean air, a suit that could cost utility ratepayers millions by slashing coal fired power.


 

Ron Arnold, Center for Defense of Free Enterprise:
If you take a look at those energy plants, they generate 51 percent of all the nation's electricity. And she's giving money to fund lawsuits to shut those down. But what does she want us to do, freeze in the dark?
 

Fred Krupp, Environmental Defense, Inc.:
She is working day in and day out for the things that she believes in. She is making the funds that are available through the Heinz philanthropies available to solve environmental problems.

 
William LaJeunesse:
While no one questions her ideals, critics say that Heinz Kerry lives in a way that is inconsistent with the ecological ideals that her green groups preach.
Sen. John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry own five large houses, three SUVs, a gas guzzling yacht and a private jet.

RETURN TO THE CENTER VIEW

RETURN TO CENTER FOR THE DEFENSE OF FREE ENTERPRISE HOME PAGE