KNOXVILLE, TN – In honor of National Volunteer Week, this week, Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Jim Rispoli recognized Rhonda Smith with the President’s Volunteer Service Award during a ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Ms. Smith has devoted over 100 hours of community service to the Paducah Site-Specific Advisory Board, providing advice and recommendations to DOE’s environmental restoration and waste management activities at the Paducah site.  She has served on the Board since 2003, was elected Chair in since 2005, and will begin serving her term later in 2006.  

 

“Those honored this week set a high standard for all Americans and should be proud of their service, sacrifice and generosity.  We are very fortunate, as a nation, and the Department of Energy recognizes the importance of volunteerism.  I want to thank Rhonda, volunteers honored this week and volunteers nationwide who play a key role in making this nation so great,” Secretary Bodman said.

 

Ms. Smith holds an International Business degree and is currently employed as a buyer at Briggs and Stratton Company in Murray, Kentucky.  She previously worked at H.B. Fuller Company as a production operator, lab technician, and planner.  Ms. Smith is a lifetime resident of Paducah, Kentucky.

 

As part of a broader effort to recognize individuals in honor of National Volunteer Week, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and senior DOE leadership traveling the country this week, will present a total of 14 DOE employees with the President’s Volunteer Award.  

 

President George W. Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world.  Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at http://www.freedomcorps.gov/ or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.