Secretarial Level Take Pride in America Award Presented
To Three Anasazi Heritage Center Volunteers

(Washington) - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today approved awards to three individuals for their outstanding volunteer work at the Anasazi Heritage Center located in Dolores, Colorado. Each recipient has served more than 5,000 hours, which qualifies them for the Secretarial level Take Pride in America award.

"It is my pleasure to pay tribute to the volunteers who have made such valuable contributions to The Anasazi Heritage Center and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument during this last year," Norton said. "Take Pride in America, a component of President Bush's USA Freedom Corps, acknowledges a volunteer's outstanding efforts based on their hours of service to America's lands. Although I can not be there to present the awards, I want to personally thank each one of you for your dedication and willingness to serve as stewards of one of America's greatest cultural resources."

Award recipients were recognized at the Center where a video from the Secretary was viewed and awards were presented on her behalf.

The Anasazi Heritage Center is an archaeological museum that displays and preserves artifacts and records from excavations on public lands in the Four Corners area, one of the richest archaeological regions in the United States.