Contact: Madelyn Appelbaum               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                         9/30/98

Secretary of Commerce William Daley, ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau and hundreds of Washington D.C. area school children celebrated "Year of the Ocean" with the Washington Symphony Orchestra as they performed Ralph Vaughn Williams' Sea Symphony. Accompanied by a backdrop of dynamic ocean video, the students were up-close and personal with "Free Willy," journeyed the seas on a ship, and explored the depths of the ocean in a manned submersible.

"The Year of the Ocean provides us with an excellent opportunity to examine the essential role the ocean plays in all of our lives. The oceans provide food, medicines, recreation, transportation and other aspects of marine commerce that contribute to our high standard of living," Commerce Secretary Daley said. "This concert celebrates the role of the ocean and inspires us all to do our part to sustain Earth's vital ocean resources."

The concert was performed with the participation of the Department of Commerce and NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. During the concert, the students and teachers took NOAA's Ocean Ambassador Pledge, which encourages students to learn more about the ocean and to help protect it for future generations. (See text of pledge at the end of the press release.)

"The underwater world I come from is a symphony and every creature is a member of that orchestra," stated Jean-Michel Cousteau, who showed never-before- seen footage of the "Free Willy" Keiko story, which documented the whale's recent journey from the United States to a special facility in Iceland. "Music is an intricate part of learning about the world we live in."

The free concert took place Wednesday, Sept. 30, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., and was also broadcast live and archived via the Internet at http://www.wsodc.org/wsoocean.html

(Ocean Ambassador Pledge follows)
The Ocean Ambassador Pledge:

Because I want to help ensure that the ocean is healthier for future generations, I pledge to:

• Learn all I can about the ocean, including NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries.
• Conserve water.
• Recycle, reduce waste and dispose of trash properly.
• Be considerate of ocean wildlife. I won't feed sea birds or disturb their nesting grounds.
• Clean up the beach and leave it better than I found it.
• Support or join a club that promotes ocean awareness.
• Pass on my knowledge and encourage my family and friends to protect the ocean.

Because I want to help the ocean and all the creatures that live in it and around its shores, I pledge today to do these things and I accept the title of Ocean Ambassador.

Signed: _____________________