- Welcome to the Department
of the Interior and welcome to this momentous occasion - the one year
anniversary of Take Pride in America.
- One year ago, I had the
pleasure of reviving a program that harnesses the collective spirit
of American patriotism for the betterment of our nation's public lands.
- Take Pride in America rallies
all Americans to make a difference. And what a difference a year makes!
- Marti will speak to the
accomplishments of the past year, but I want to take a few moments to
offer my appreciation and congratulate you on a well done.
- There's an expression that's
perhaps over-used, but non-the-less fitting for today's anniversary
celebration: If you build it, they will come.
- I'm sure that when Kevin
Costner's character uttered those words in the movie Field of Dreams,
he never imagined a Cabinet Secretary using them to describe a volunteer
program.
- Regardless, I think "If
you build it, they will come" is a fitting metaphor for Take Pride
In America.
- A year ago, the foundation
of a program was built and since then the program has not only grown,
but attracted the interest of countless Americans - volunteers from
all over our nation, devoted to lands as diverse as community gardens
and ocean beaches.
- Thanks in part to your enthusiasm
and commitment, the American people are using their energy and creativity
to help our parks, refuges, and public recreation areas. More children
are realizing their great inheritance of scenic beauty and natural bounty.
- The cornerstone of Take
Pride in America is the belief that you have to engage individuals to
take responsibility for improving their community environment.
- At Interior we call it "cooperative
conservation," and you are helping to turn that philosophy into
action.
- The environmental challenges
we face in the 21st century are in many ways more subtle and more difficult
than we have faced in the past. They deal with managing the increasing
demands on the land and the conservation of our resources. How do we
meet the need to develop and expand our economy while conserving our
land and its rivers, plains, forests and abundant wildlife?
- Enforcing laws alone will
not achieve the level of environmental quality we want to see. We need
to go beyond minimum compliance, and reach out to harness innovation
and enthusiasm. We need to tap into American ingenuity and the community
spirit to care for our land, water, air and wildlife. The success of
Take Pride in America in its first year shows this is possible.
- Day-by-day, event-by-event,
Take Pride in America is doing just that. Volunteers, personally vested
in a project, are reaping great success.
- I want to thank you for
your commitment and involvement with this terrific program.
- As we enter into our second
year, I encourage you to continue in partnership with Take Pride, and
I encourage you to continue in partnership with Take Pride, and I challenge
you to maximize your involvement.
- American volunteers focused
on the maintenance and improvement of America's big backyard - the public
lands - are counting on you. It's your land, lend a hand!
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