WASHINGTON-- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton will formally recognize hundreds of Interior employees tomorrow for their extraordinary efforts in helping Gulf Coast residents respond to last year's devastating hurricanes and rebuild their communities and their lives. The Gulf Coast Hurricane Recognition Ceremony will take place Jan. 25, 2006, at 1 p.m. in the Sidney R. Yates Auditorium of the Main Interior Building, which is located at 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

More than 6,000 Interior employees have been deployed to the Gulf Coast area for varying lengths of service to provide emergency management, scientific and engineering and law enforcement assistance under the National Response Plan and to carry out the Department's substantial responsibilities for the public lands and facilities it manages in the area.

The ceremony will be broadcast by satellite and can be down linked at C-Band, Galaxy 3 (G3), Transponder 4 Vertical, 95 Degree West. The test signal will begin at 12:45 p.m. EST and the program signal from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST.

WHO:	Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett
WHAT:	Gulf Coast Hurricane Recognition Ceremony
WHERE:	Sidney R. Yates Auditorium, Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
WHEN:	Jan. 25, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST.
MEDIA:	Credentialed media are welcome to cover the ceremony.
SATELLITE:	C-Band, Galaxy 3 (G3), Transponder 4 Vertical, 95 Degree West The test signal will begin at 12:45 p.m. EST and the program signal from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. For technical problems, call Mike Mason at 202-208-3412 or 202-437-8469.