How Take Pride Began
In 1985 Interior Secretary Donald Hodel recognized a growing problem with vandalism and looting of historical artifacts on public lands. He knew that there was too much land for even the military and police forces to combat the problem alone. Hodel developed Take Pride in America as the solution, turning the stewardship of public lands back to its owners - the public.
Spreading the Message
Both President Ronald Reagan and President George W. Bush have echoed Hodel's belief that we are responsible for our lands. Celebrity spokespersons such as Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood and Lou Gossett, Jr. also promoted this message. Today, we once again boast Clint Eastwood as our national spokesman.
Today's Take Pride
Former Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton re-launched Take Pride in April 2003 under the U.S.A. Freedom Corps, a council for service opportunities. Take Pride is established by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a national partnership program. The program encourages citizen stewardship by coming alongside Federal, state and local governments; community, civic and youth organizations; conservation and recreation groups; and corporations. Take Pride continues to work toward their goal to instill in every citizen an active sense of ownership and responsibility for natural, cultural and historic resources. Each of us can find a way to take pride in America by lending a hand.
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