The NewsRoom
Release: #3443
Date: December 20, 2005

MMS Turkey Drive Spreads Holiday Cheer to Gulf of Mexico Staff

New Orleans - The holiday season will be a bit brighter for hurricane-beleaguered MMS employees in the Gulf of Mexico this year, thanks to the efforts of generous co-workers nationwide. In the spirit of the holidays, all 600 Gulf Region employees will enjoy a free turkey courtesy of their co-workers.

Concerned about the welfare of their co-workers who have suffered many devastating personal losses due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, MMS employee associations in Alaska, California, Denver, Houston, Virginia and Washington D.C., banded together raise enough money to purchase one 12 pound turkey for each Gulf employee. MMS employees across the nation dug deep during the turkey drive, and this week 600 coupons were distributed to Gulf employees.

In recognition of the day to day uncertainties still being experienced by Gulf employees, the coupons may be exchanged for a turkey at selected grocery stores in the Gulf region any time during or after the holidays.

Despite personal losses and trauma, including damaged or destroyed homes, MMS employees in the Gulf have devoted every waking hour possible to gathering and assessing data on the status of operations in the Gulf and helping restore energy for America.

The MMS, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages offshore oil and gas exploration as well as renewable and alternative energy sources such as wind, wave, and solar on 1.76 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf while protecting the human, marine, and coastal environments. The OCS provides 30 percent of oil and 21 percent of natural gas produced domestically, and sand used for coastal restoration. MMS collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from Federal and American Indian lands, and contributes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other special use funds, with Fiscal Year 2005 disbursements of approximately $9.9 billion and more than $153 billion since 1982.

Relevant Web Sites:
   MMS Main Website

Media Contacts:
   Nicolette Nye  
   (703) 787-1011

MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
 

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