Williams honored as defense community champion

Community and environmental advocate Craig Williams was honored with the Defense Community Champions Award last week, one of 18 recipients from around the United States.

The presentation took place last week in Richmond at a meeting of the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizen’s Advisory Commission and the Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board.

Citing Williams’ 40-year effort in advocating for the safe destruction of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs Executive Director Steve Bullard presented the award, which is co-sponsored by the Association for Defense Communities and the Navy Federal Credit Union.  

A citation on the Association for Defense Communities website notes that as the program director of the Kentucky Environmental Foundation, Craig Williams dedicated his career to safely eliminating chemical weapons. In 1984, when the U.S. Army initiated a plan to incinerate chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot and at sites around the United States, Williams organized local community meetings and his passion for this subject grew, according to the citation. It states further:

“In July 2023, he accomplished many of the goals he originally set out to do, including making history by fulfilling America’s commitments to the International Chemical Weapons Convention. Williams founded the Chemical Weapons Working Group in 1990, bringing together leaders from Kentucky and other U.S. cities where chemical weapons were stored. In Kentucky, the Chemical Weapons Working Group eventually grew to be known as the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizen’s Advisory Board, of which Williams is chair.

“Throughout his career, Williams has worked closely with the U.S. Army, local congress people, and state and U.S. senators in the fight to protect communities from the effects of harmful chemical weapons destruction. Due to Williams’ advocacy, Kentucky fulfilled milestones for our nation by upholding international agreements, protecting communities and promoting safer ways to destroy chemical weapons. Williams fight for the safe destruction of chemical weapons was long and tireless, however, it displays his dedication to his community, the United States, and the environment.”

Williams, 77, continues his advocacy through the Kentucky Environmental Foundation.

His efforts are highlighted in the 2015 film Nerve, by Ben Evans, and he was also honored with the 2006 Goldman Environmental Prize, awarded to one person per continent annually.

Last year, Williams joined 260 distinguished citizens featured in the Americans Who Tell the Truth series of portraits, which are displayed in schools, university libraries, and locations around the U.S.A., honoring those who boldly serve their communities through public advocacy. His portrait was done by artist Robert Shetterly.

 Learn more about the work of the Kentucky Environmental Foundation at:   https://www.kyenvironmentalfoundation.org