The NewsRoom
Release: #3503
Date: May 4, 2006

MMS Employees Recognized for Excellence
at 63rd Department of the Interior Honors Convocation

WASHINGTON -- Four Minerals Management Service employees were recently honored at the 63rd Department of the Interior Honor Awards Convocation for their distinguished service and cooperative conservation projects.

Acting Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett presented the awards today at the Department of the Interior. MMS employees were among the 55 DOI employees that received awards for their service.

“I’m honored and privileged to recognize the many men and women who have served the Department with acts of courage and valor this year, as well as those who have served the American public with excellence for many years,” Acting Secretary Scarlett said at the event in the Sidney Yates Auditorium of the Main Interior Building.

The Distinguished Service Award is granted for an outstanding contribution to science, outstanding skill or ability in the performance of duty, outstanding contribution made during an eminent career in the Department or any other exceptional contribution to public service. It the highest honorary recognition an employee can receive within the Department of the Interior.

MMS employees receiving awards for Distinguished Service were J. Michael Melancon and John L. Rodi.

The Deep Wrecks Project team received the Cooperative Conservation Award for their work as part of a remarkable collaboration of federal agencies, private companies and universities conducting archaeological, historical, and biological research investigation of six ships that were sunk by Hitler’s U-boat activities during World War II in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Cooperative Conservation Award recognizes cooperative conservation achievements that involved collaborative activity among a diverse range of entities including federal, state, local and tribal governments, private for profit and nonprofit institutions, and other nongovernmental entities and individuals.

MMS employees serving on the Deep Wreck Projects Team include:
Jack B. Irion, Ph.D.
Daniel (Herb) Leedy

Relevant Web Site:
   MMS Main Website

Media Contact:
   Blossom Robinson        (202) 208-3985

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

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