WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced the establishment of the Secretary's Historic Preservation Award, a new annual award to recognize the outstanding contributions of the employees of Federal, State, and Tribal Preservation Offices and Certified Local Governments in the area of historic preservation.
“I have created the Secretary’s award to recognize, for the first time, the accomplishments of individual employees, rather than those of programs or projects,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We know it’s the employees behind the programs who make a difference and we want to highlight their exceptional contributions and actions above and beyond the call of duty that have helped further the cause of historic preservation.”
Applications are now available online at www.doi.gov/initiatives/preservation.html. The deadline for the inaugural 2008 award is Oct. 20, 2008.
Each year, the Secretary will recognize one individual from each of four categories – Federal Preservation Offices, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and of Certified Local Governments. Employees of the National Park Service are not eligible for these awards.
Nominees are individuals whose contributions surpass the expected scope of their positions and whose creativity and expertise have fostered the overall goals of the National Historic Preservation Act. Nominees should have demonstrated a sustained and outstanding contribution to the preservation of historic resources. Nominations should concentrate on activities and accomplishments during the last two years (2007-2008).
More info on the application and award can be found at: http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/preservation.html.
For additional information, please contact Jon C. Smith, National Park Service
at 202-354-2095 or Jon_Smith@nps.gov.