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NOAA RECOGNIZES 2003 ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES

NOAA Earth Day 2003 image.April 22, 2003 — 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 attached.

Recipient
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, Janusz 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.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Earth Day 2003 Page — Brief bios of 2003 Environmental Heroes

Media Contact:
Greg Hernandez, NOAA, (202) 482-3091