Take Pride in America Awards Ceremony

Welcome to the Interior Department. We have an exciting week before us. The National Museum of the American Indian is opening this week, and the famous murals of Allan Houser are on display in this building

It is said that pride goes before a fall. But pride may also animate all kinds of upright actions.

In "God Bless the U.S.A.," Lee Greenwood sings "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."

We honor all those who are in the field defending our freedoms. We revere those who have sacrificed greatly - and who are still sacrificing - to protect them. But not all have that high calling.

Yet as citizens, we are all called to be stewards. While the service is usually less dangerous, the contribution can be no less profound.

Today we have gathered to honor many outstanding individuals and groups who have done exemplary service as volunteers for Take Pride in America. They - you - have chosen to contribute to this land in exceptional ways. You have put muscle into emotion: You have put your hands where your hearts are. You have taken your pride and produced reasons for all of us to be proud.

By doing so, you have transformed the nation's public lands. You have made them prouder places, one spot, one acre at a time. Your hands have cleared coastlines and lake shores, restored ponds and created trails, protected turtle nests and promoted butterfly awareness.

There are 25 different national award winners in 12 different categories. They were nominated and chosen for their tangible contributions to our public lands. The breath of their handiwork is truly astonishing. I wish there was time to describe them all since they represent countless hours of care towards the timeless value of stewardship.

For instance, 940 members of the Pacific Four Wheel Drive Association donated more than 6,500 hours to restore a 28 mile stretch of coastline near Auburn, Washington. On the other coast, namely Stump Beach State Park in Englewood Florida, the Coastal Wildlife Club donated more than 1,300 hours to protecting endangered and threatened turtle nests.

Another Floridian, Irene DeLobby, is receiving an award for her tireless efforts in support of the state park system. She has encouraged almost 7,000 volunteers to give more than 900,000 hours to Florida's parks. She has contributed 25,000 hours to the park system herself.

I am pleased to see that so many younger citizens have also become stewards.

For instance, the Boy Scouts of Troop 46 have maintained segments of trails all across Douglas County Oregon. The troop has accumulated about 20,000 hours of volunteer service since 1993.

The workmanship of another scout, 17-year-old Neil Stephen Flanagan, can be enjoyed right here in Washington D.C's Rock Creek Park.

Some 8,000 students have participated in the self-described "Creek Freaks" Club, founded at Augusta Georgia's Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy. The club has partnered with the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program to help monitor and restore stream ecosystems all across the state.

Stewardship can be as simple as planting seeds or picking up trash. Last year, participants in the Trash Tracker Program at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area spent a few days picking up garbage and cleaning the shores of Lake Powell, making it more fit for the more than 2 million campers who come there each year.

Our federal land managers have also played an essential role - both for their stewardship of the land and for their empowerment of Take Pride in America's many volunteers. They include John Keys Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service and Jeff Jarrett, the Director of the Office of Surface Mining. From the Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managers and volunteer coordinators have made sure that willing hands were paired with needed work.

Perhaps the best part about today's awardees is that they represent only the most outstanding citizen-stewards. The Department of the Interior has more than 200,000 volunteers, and that number continues to grow.

Wherever I go, I meet the wonderful people who volunteer at parks, wildlife refuges, BLM public lands, historic sites, reservoirs, wild horse corrals, fish hatcheries, wildlife veterinary hospitals, campgrounds and boat docks.

Take Pride has more than 100 Charter Partners, ranging from youth and service organizations to major corporations. Mayors from small towns and large cities have become partners. Governors from all 50 states and 1 territory have joined Take Pride in America's Council of Governors, committing their states to rallying volunteers to improve public lands.

Each one of these partners, and all of the people supporting them, is a true citizen steward. Each has put their hands where their hearts are.

As Desiree mentioned, President Bush said that the nation's true strength is in the hearts and souls of its citizens. You are living proof. Because of you, we stand taller and we walk prouder.

Your patriotism and selfless actions have enriched this land. Our mountains are more majestic because of your pride in America; our plains are more golden; our cities gleam more brightly.

Because of your pride in America, we are all prouder Americans.

Thank you.