Awards given
to cooperative weather observers by the National Weather Service
are a way of recognizing their achievements. They are but
a small token of appreciation when compared to the amount of
work done by these special people. The importance of cooperative
weather observers was hailed in 1933. In that year, a Science
Advisory Group apprized President Roosevelt that the volunteer
cooperative observer network was one of the most extraordinary
services ever developed, netting the public more per dollar expended
than any other government service in the world. This is still
true today.
The Jefferson and Holm Awards: Honoring
Exemplary Service to our Nation
The Thomas Jefferson Award is
the highest and most prestigious award bestowed on Cooperative
Weather Observers. It is named for our third President, who kept
an almost unbroken series of weather records from 1776 to 1816.
This award is given to very few observers each year, usually
not more than five, for outstanding and unusual achievements.
All candidates for the Jefferson Award must have received the
Holm Award in the past and at least five years must pass after
receiving the Holm Award before observers are eligible for the
Jefferson Award.
New Mexico observers who have received the Jefferson
Award since 1960:
The John Campanius Holm Award is granted each year
to a maximum of 25 cooperative observers nationwide for outstanding
accomplishments in the field of cooperative observations. The
award was named for a Lutheran minister who was the first person
known to have taken systematic weather observations in the American
Colonies in 1644 and 1645.
New Mexico observers who have received the Holm Award since
1960:
The Earl Stewart Award is
presented to cooperative observers for 75 years of service.
Mr. Stewart completed 75 years of service in Cottage Grove, Oregon,
in 1992. Only three cooperative observers have served for more
than 75 years
The Ruby Stufft Award is
bestowed upon cooperative observers for 70 years of service.
In 1991, Mrs. Stufft of Elsmere, Nebraska, became the first woman
observer to reach the 70-year milestone. Only five others have
accomplished this. The most recent was John Kortes from Wyoming,
who completed 70 years of service in March of 2000.
The Albert J. Myer Award is
given to cooperative observers for 65 years of service.
It is named for the observer at Eagle Pass, Texas, who later
became the Chief of the Signal Service. The Signal Service later
became the Weather Bureau, then the National Weather Service.
The Helmut E. Landsberg
Award is granted to cooperative observers for 60
years of service. Mr. Landsberg is largely responsible
for establishing the nationwide climatological network as
we know it today.
The Benjamin Franklin Award is
given to cooperative observers after completing 55 years
of service. In addition to showing us that thunderstorms
have electricity in the legendary kite flying episode, Franklin
was also the first person to track a storm moving up the east
coast. As U.S. Postmaster, he instructed other Postmasters along
the eastern seaboard to record the weather and the compilation
of these records showed the storm movement.
The Edward Stoll Award is
named after a legendary observer from Elwood, Nebraska who was
invited to the Oval Office by then President Jimmy Carter. Mr.
Stoll was a cooperative observer for 76 years. Cooperative Observers
receive this award after 50 years of service. In New
Mexico, award recipients include:
The Richard Hagemeyer Award is
named after the former director of the NWS Pacific Region. Cooperative
Observers receive this award after 45 years of service.
In New Mexico, award recipients include:
Length of Service Awards are
also given to cooperative observers after completing 10, 15,
20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service. Institutional Awards
are given to Institutions that are cooperative observers for
25, 50, 75, and 100 years. Some Institutions are closing in
on 125 years service and they will also be honored for reaching
that milestone. Special Service Awards are given to cooperative
observers for special achievements. For example, reports of
significant
weather that assist the National Weather Service in their decision
making process, may be recognized with this award. The table
below lists the most recent length of service awards recipients
in New Mexico.
National Weather Service
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