Environmental Progress - Winter 1996

Fifth Annual Recognition Ceremony Honors Outstanding Achievements In Environmental Protection

Environment-oriented achievements "above and beyond" earn plaudits

Outstanding environmental achievements by citizens in the private sector as well as Illinois Environmental Protection Agency employees were recognized during the fifth annual Illinois EPA Recognition Ceremony held Nov. 6, 1996, in Springfield.

Guest speaker was Dr. Theo Colborn, senior program scientist with the World Wildlife Fund and co-author of the recently-published Our Stolen Future. That book, published last March, is a popular press version of the 1992 book Chemically Induced Alterations in Sexual and Functional Development: The Wildlife/Human Connection, that she edited.

During her appearance at the recognition ceremony and in an earlier meeting with senior Illinois EPA staff, Colborn discussed her concern with potential effects of certain chemicals on developing endocrine, immune and nervous systems of various animals including humans. She expressed particular concern with possible cumulative effects from separate exposures to toxics from a variety of sources.

The Artisans Building at the State Fairgrounds was the site for both the awards ceremony and a reception that followed.

Director Mary A. Gade presented the 1995 Director's Award for Excellence to Janet Beavers, of the U.S. Army, for the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Project, and to Norma VanValkenburg, Illinois EPA, for the pilot and phase one coordination phases of the Agency's Clean Break program. The 1996 Director's Awards for Excellence went to Jo Patton, of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, for the Great Printer's Project, and Byron Marks, Illinois EPA, for his ongoing role as coordinator of Illinois' participation in the Ohio River Sweep.

Certificates of Commendation covered prairies to paint, and organics to ozone.

Certificates of Commendation, honoring individuals or groups for outstanding contributions to protection of the environment or other significant achievements in Illinois were awarded for 1995 and 1996 efforts. For 1995, certificates of commendation went to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Project, the Clean Break pilot program, and to Richard Reese for coordination of the Pollution Prevention Graduate Intern Program.

Certificates of Commendation for 1996 programs went to Jack Adam, Illinois EPA/Rockford regional office, for his coordination of the Rock River Sweep; Charles Corley, Illinois EPA/Rockford Office, for coordination of the National Operator Training Conference; and Dan Rion, Bureau of Land, for his role in implementing the Partners for Waste Paint Solution Program. Tom Wallin, Illinois EPA, was a 1996 honoree for his work in the Great Printers and Regulatory/Training Pollution Prevention projects.

Other 1996 Certificates of Commendation projects, and honorees, included:

A special recognition was given to nine citizen volunteers for their participation in the Agency's Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Those recognized included Randy Duzan, Dale Hanner, Jack Hendrick, Kenneth Oestreich, Gerald Sanders, Rick Twait, Bruce Wallace, Ray Werner and A.E. Yoos.

And a special thanks for more than 49 centuries of service

Certificates of appreciation were awarded for accomplishments beyond regular job duties for both 1995 and 1996, for completion of quality courses, and for participation in quality action teams.

Service awards were presented to 309 employees who have worked for the Agency, and in some cases for the state of Illinois prior to the Illinois EPA's creation in 1970, for periods of 10 to 30 years. Special recognition went to Joe Fortune, who marked 35 years of service this year, and Anne Alexander, who marked her 50th anniversary as a state employee in 1995.

The employees recognized have jointly put in 4920 years of service.

Top Photo: Dr. Theo Colborn was keynote speaker at the annual event.

Bottom Photo: Roger Selburg, manager of the Division of Public Water Supplies, introduces Anne Alexander, who marked her 50th anniversary as a state employee in 1995.