Director Steve Williams at the Awards Banquet at the Region 5 Project Leader Meeting in Hadley, Massachusetts

February 27, 2002

Thank you, Mamie, for that kind introduction and for inviting me up to the northeast. This is a special part of the country for me. I began my professional career in this region and was born in Vermont. That makes this a sort of homecoming for me, and it is specially sweet because I've returned as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and because, finally, the New England Patriots managed to win a Superbowl. Now if only the Red Sox could . . . nevermind.

I am still settling into my role as Director, but one of the things I like about the job is getting out into the regions and the field and meeting the employees, the folks working shoulder to shoulder with private landowners and conservation partners . . . moving the dirt, improving habitat, protecting resources in need, and delivering the conservation programs that improve the nation's fish and wildlife resources. I place a high value on getting to know you and the work you do.

The best thing the Service has going for it is its people, the finest group of dedicated fish and wildlife conservationists in the world. I'm thrilled to be part of the Service and I thank you for the warm reception I have received from the Service family. It is an honor and a privilege to work with you.

Tonight, I also have the honor of welcoming our featured speaker. She is counselor and special assistant to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and is also the chairman of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. Her long and distinguished career includes public service as the chief counsel to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where she worked on issues including Everglades restoration, the Clean Water Act, hazardous waste disposal, NEPA, and the Endangered Species Act. Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, she was a partner of the Washington law office of Preston Gates and Ellis, where she chaired the Environmental Group. Please welcome the counsel to the Secretary, Ann Klee.

JOHN S. GOTTSCHALK AWARD PRESENTATION

The John S. Gottschalk Award is presented to a deserving Region 5 employee in recognition of outstanding, innovative, and enthusiastic efforts in developing and implementing natural resource partnerships. It is my honor today to present this award to Dr. John Organ. John is the Wildlife Program Chief in the Region's Division of Federal Aid. Few Service biologists are more widely known or as widely appreciated as he is. His professional dedication and commitment to human relationships – from UMass and Cornell to The Wildlife Society and the World Conservation Congress, and from river otters to Canada lynx – have earned him an admirable reputation. He is a true leader in the wildlife conservation community, a builder of extensive and long-lasting partnerships and coalitions, and a meticulous biologist.

I have known John for about 15 years, back in the day when I was the deer project leader for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. We spent many hours together with another Service employee that I had the honor of calling a friend – Bill Hesseltan. John, I know Bill would be as proud as I am to be here tonight. You are a leader, a visionary, a great supporter of the conservation movement in this nation. Most importantly to me, you are a valued and trusted friend.

John, it is my great honor to present you with this year's John S. Gottschalk Award.