For release: April 16, 2003 Contact: Elaine Sevy, 202/208-6843

Carol Anthony, 202/208-6844

Interior Secretary Norton Recognizes NPS Volunteer Harriet Flotte

During “Take Pride in America” Program

Harriet Flotte of Maryland received special recognition today from Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton during the unveiling of the new and revitalized “Take Pride in America” Campaign at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Since 1981, Harriet has volunteered 16,000 hours at Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland, contributing her keen business sense, green thumb, and artistic talents to accomplishing a variety of critical functions.

She is the manager of the gift shop for the park’s cooperating association, Historic Hampton, Inc. The gift shop is open 7 days a week and is staffed completely by volunteers. Harriet does most of the purchasing, scheduling and on many days, also staffs the shop.

An avid gardener, she continues to volunteer in Hampton's gardens after managing the park's cutting garden program from 1986 until 2001. Harriet also arranges and manages the yearly Greens event, which combines demonstrations of period greenery decorations with fundraising for the gardens. She dries flowers and makes period arrangements to add to the mansion's atmosphere as well as makes arrangements to complement Historic Hampton, Inc.' s activities.

“By working with fellow volunteers, young and old, we lend our hands to heal our land, one acre at a time. And in so doing, we are celebrating the start of the national, grassroots, bipartisan Take Pride in America program,” Secretary Norton said at the National Press Club address. “Take Pride In America will empower volunteers from every corner of America to restore and improve our parks, refuges, recreation areas and cultural and historical sites. The program inspires citizen stewardship through a bold and innovative public communication campaign. Outstanding volunteer efforts are rewarded with presidential recognition.”

Modeled after the highly visible and successful national cleanup endeavor initiated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, the new Take Pride In America was unveiled by Secretary Norton at a luncheon newsmaker speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. It will become part of President George W. Bush’s Freedom Corps.

With the announcement of the new Take Pride In America program, the Interior Department launched a special Take Pride web site -- www.TakePride.gov – that outlines program goals and offers ideas and suggestion for citizen, group and corporate involvement. Interior will serve as the lead federal department and will enlist the cooperation and commitment of all agencies in the federal government.

The National Park Service, an Interior Department agency, manages the National Park System, which comprises 388 areas covering more than 84 million acres, for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Through a variety of programs, the NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resources conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Hampton National Historic Site, Maryland, is the last remnant of a vast landholding, which includes a Georgian mansion, gardens and grounds, and original stone slave quarters.

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