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Office of the Secretary

Contact: Frank Quimby

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For Immediate Release September 4, 2002

Interior Department Honors Employees, Volunteers, and Partners

Interior Secretary Gale Norton commended more than 250 Interior employees, volunteers, and partners yesterday, telling them that they added "a spark of genius to their work" that set them apart as leaders, heroes, and innovators.

"In the midst of pressure to finish a job, achieve a goal, follow an order, or realize an ambition, there are those among us who find something more," Norton said at the Department's 61st Annual Awards Convocation. "They add a spark of genius to the fuel of everyday activities. They take the unanticipated step, they make work more productive, or they find a new way of doing things. Some step forward into the maelstrom of firefighting or law enforcement when others might retreat."

The annual awards ceremony recognized initiatives in conservation and valor as well as meritorious and distinguished service to the Department. Interior employees who were honored represented Interior's major agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Minerals Management Service, Office of Surface Mining, National Business Center, and Office of the Secretary.

The Department's valor award honored 21 employees for their bravery, including a posthumous award to Richard J. Guadagno, a Fish and Wildlife Service refuge manager who was killed when hijacked Flight 63 crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought with the 9-11 terrorists. Guadagno is believed to have been among those who struggled to regain control of the aircraft.

A number of private citizens who do volunteer work for Interior were also recognized during the ceremony.

"We have more than 200,000 volunteers on thousands of projects across this land," Norton said. "Accomplishing our mission would be almost impossible without the legion of volunteers who add their expertise and time to our ranks."

Norton emphasized the diverse responsibilities of the Department in her remarks. "We monitor earthquakes and volcanoes, mines and wells," she noted. "There are those employees who study a form of biological warfare against invasive species. We also provide energy to run the country--about 1/3 of our domestic energy production comes from public lands. And we provide the water that allows the arid West to bloom. In this drought year, the Bureau of Reclamation is the salvation for many."

"Congratulations to all our award winners for seeking solutions and striving to make them work, for looking at innovation as a friend and new technology as a challenge," Norton said. "We present awards today to a select few, but my appreciation goes beyond this ceremony to all employees of the Department."

A list of award recipients is attached.

Employees of the Department of the Interior

Who Died in the Line of Duty Since the

October 2000 Awards Convocation

Gloria Roy Bureau of Reclamation

Kristopher W. Eggle National Park Service

Hakim A. Farthing National Park Service

Murphy G. Peterson Fish and Wildlife Service

Conservation Service Awards

The Conservation Service Award is granted to individuals or groups who are not employed by the Department, but who have performed outstanding and direct service to the Department of the Interior. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a private citizen or group by the Secretary.

Award Recipients