Secretary Kempthorne Commends 2006 National Take Pride In America® Award Winners At Department Of The Interior Ceremony

Representatives from the Ford Motor Company accept the 2006 National Award in the category of Outstanding Take Pride Supporter. Presenting the award are (from left) Michelle Cangelosi, executive director of Take Pride, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, and Desiree Sayle, director of USA Freedom Corps (far right).

The 2006 Take Pride in America National Award recipients were honored at an awards ceremony Thursday, September 14 in Washington, D.C. The individuals and groups from across the country were recognized for their outstanding contributions to local, state and federal public lands. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, USA Freedom Corps Director Desiree Sayle and Take Pride in America Executive Director Michelle Cangelosi commended volunteers during the Department of Interior event. Clint Eastwood, Take Pride spokesman, addressed the audience via a recorded video message.

“You freely give your time and toil to make this nation great. In doing so, you have used your pride to make us all proud.,” Secretary Kempthorne told the award recipients. “You have transformed the nation’s public lands. You have made them more beautiful places, one acre at a time.”

Presented annually, the Take Pride in America national awards recognize specific volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories, including youth organization, corporation, public/ private partnership and individual, among others. These awards recognize events, projects and programs targeted at maintaining or enhancing public lands such as parks, rivers, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds and other recreation areas. This year, there were 28 award recipients representing 18 states.

“This year’s award winners were outstanding. Each of their communities benefited tremendously from the commitment and hard work of these individuals and groups,” said Michelle Cangelosi, executive director of Take Pride in America. “It is truly an honor to recognize these Americans for their contributions to our public lands.”

2006 Take Pride in America National Award Winners by Category

Federal Land Manager

• Tony Herrell, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management; Carlsbad, NM
• Harold (Kip) Hagen, Superintendent, National Park Service; Scranton, PA
• Roy Lowe, Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Newport, OR
• Loredana (Donna) Potter, Public Affairs Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation; Sacramento, CA
• Ruby Seitz, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service; McKenzie Bridge, OR
• K. Dewayne Shouse, Park Ranger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Buckhorn, KY

Individual

• Deborah Goff; Westminster, MD
• Lauren Giebler; Aurora, CO
• James Keith; Brusly, LA
• Karen Smith; Jacksonville, FL
• Richard Stevens; Kealakekua, HI Youth Organization
• PAWS (Promoting Awesome Watershed Stewardship); Dunnellon, FL

School Program

• Discovery School; Spokane, WA
• Palm Bay Elementary School; Palm Bay, FL
• Holy Trinity Episcopal Middle School; Houston, TX
• Pi Beta Phi Elementary School; Gatlinburg, TN

Non-profit Organization

• Citizens for a Litter-Free Choctaw County; Soper, OK
• Student Conservation Association - Invasive Species Project; Nationwide
• Black Canyon Trail Coalition; Black Canyon City, AZ
• Ardmore Beautification Council; Ardmore, OK

Public/ Private Partnership

• Bureau of Reclamation, Yuma Area Office and Boy Scouts of America, Yuma Ocotillo District; Yuma, AZ
• Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers; Roseburg, OR
• Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Program; Austin, TX

Corporation

• Arizona Salt River Tubing & Recreation; Mesa, AZ

Faith Based Group

• Marys & Marthas; Clarion, IA

Local Government Program

• Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership; Lima, OH

Federal Volunteer Program

• Southern Nevada Interagency Volunteer Program; Boulder City, NV

Outstanding Take Pride Supporter

• Ford Motor Company; Nationwide