The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration presented its annual Environmental Hero Award to 35 recipients. Held in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations, the award honors NOAA volunteers for their “tireless efforts to preserve and protect our nation's environment.”

“NOAA and the nation are fortunate to have such dedicated people volunteer so much of their time for the environment,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “They set an outstanding example for others to follow in their communities. America needs more environmental heroes like them.”

Established in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day, the Environmental Hero award is presented to individuals and organizations that volunteer their time and energy to help NOAA carry out its mission. Previous recipients include oceanographers Jean-Michel Cousteau and Sylvia Earle, and actor Ted Danson, head of the American Oceans Campaign.

This year, there are a total of 36 winners — 35 individuals and one organization. Five awards are being presented posthumously. Recipients of the 2003 NOAA Environmental Heroes Award are listed below.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through research to better understand weather and climate-related events and to manage wisely our nation's coastal and marine resources.

Recipient and Location

• Phil Ruhle — N. Kingston, R.I.
• William A. McLellan — Wilmington, N.C.
• Robert Macedo — New Bedford, Mass.
• Loretta Lawrence — Islamorada, Fla.
• Patrick Repman — Midland, Texas
• Marvin O. Hill — Beverly, W.V.
• John Pulasky — Billings, Mont.
• H. Don McFarland — San Antonio, Texas
• Carl Ojala — Ypsilanti, Mich.
• Francis H. Smith — Falmouth, Mass.
• Morgan Angus and Tara Whittle — Lothian, Md.
• Clyde Brown — Moss Point, Miss.
• Capt. Krzysztof Romowicz, Capt. Adam Kedziora, Capt. Darek Grzybek, Capt. Marek Czapiewski, Mieczyslaw Miakinko, Robert Zuk, Januz Maslanka, Piotr Kaminski, Wlodzimierz Jarzynski, Andrzej Kalicki, Daniel Skrzypek, Konrad Socko, Marianna Pastuszak — Gdynia, Poland
• Cathy P. McNeil — Golden, Colo.
• Terry Onslow — Girdwood, Alaska
• Ismael Figueroa — Miaramar, Puerto Rico
• Thomas F. Kazo — Sunrise, Fla.
• Milton C. Shedd (posthumous) — Irvine, Calif.
• Jackie Ciano, Michael Newcomer, Emily Argo, Tom Hinds (posthumous) — Fernandino Beach and Sarasota, Fla.
• Alabama Emergency Response Team (ALERT) — Calera, Ala.

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