Photos: Juan R. Tricoche
Staff Photographer, DOC

On June 13, 2006, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation hosted the fourth annual Leadership Awards Dinner in Washington, DC at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. At the awards dinner the Foundation honored five individuals for their commitment to protecting and preserving our marine environment. With the help of NMSF Trustees, Terry Garcia and Sylvia Earle, the Foundation presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Co-Chairs Admiral James D. Watkins and the Honorable Leon E. Panetta, and its Leadership Award to Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Congressman Norm Dicks of Washington State. The specially designed awards were crafted by Santa Barbara Sculptor, Bud Bottoms. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation also presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Linda Paul of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument for her outstanding contribution to the National Marine Sanctuary Program and her dedication to protecting and preserving this remarkable marine environment. Volunteer of the Year Award recipient, Linda Paul, making remarks on receiving this award and her work to Protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Congressman Norm Dicks was honored for his leadership on ocean issues in the State of Washington, particularly his support of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Senator Judd Gregg was recognized for creating a strong congressional ocean conservation agenda and his dedication to provide adequate funding for NOAA. NMSF Trustee Terry Garcia presented the Foundation's Leadership Award to Congressman Dicks. NMSF Trustee Sylvia Earle presented the Foundation's Leadership Award to Scott Gudes who accepted on behalf of Senator Judd Gregg. Admiral James D. Watkins was honored for his commitment to the conservation and protection of our nation's marine resources through his tenure as the Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. The Honorable Leon Panetta was honored in recognition of his leadership and longstanding commitment to protecting the nation's ocean and coastal resources, particularly for his work as Chairman of the Pew Oceans Commission. NMSF Trustee Sylvia Earle and NMSF President Lori Arguelles presented the Foundation's Lifetime Achiecement Award to Janet Watkins who accepted the award on her husband's behalf. NMSF Trustee Sylvia Earle and NMSF President Lori Arguelles presented the Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award to Leon Panetta Leon Panetta and Janet Watkins with NMSF Lifetime Achievement Awards. A longtime friend of the Foundation, Admiral Rufe, President and CEO of The Ocean Conservancy, welcomed the gala guests and his fellow Joint Ocean Commission Initiative colleagues. He remarked on the momentum of Capitol Hill Ocean Week and for protecting and preserving our ocean resources in Washington and around the country. TOC President Roger Rufe urged attendees to keep the positive momentum of the week's excitement moving forward. This years Presenting Sponsor, The Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires and empowers people to speak and act on behalf of the oceans, and strives to be the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. To learn more about the Sponsors of Capitol Hill Ocean Week click here. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is the private, non-profit partner to the federally managed National Marine Sanctuary System; and was created to inspire all people to preserve, protect and promote our nationwide network of marine sanctuaries. These 14 marine protected areas encompass more than 150,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters stretching from the Florida Keys to the Hawaiian Islands, from Lake Huron to the Gulf of Mexico. Through public and private sector partnerships the Foundation creates conservation-based research, education and outreach programs designed to connect the public with these special ocean and coastal recourses.