The Department of the Interior recently recognized a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee with the Manuel Lujan, Jr. Champions Award. The Lujan award is given out during Hispanic Heritage Month to identify employees who carry out the Departments mission in areas that most impact Hispanic communities. Lujan is a New Mexico resident and a former Secretary of the Interior.
Hydrologist Cynthia Abeyta was the Service's recipient for 2006. Abeyta is the Middle Rio Grande Coordinator for the Services New Mexico Ecological Services office located in Albuquerque. "It was a tremendous honor to receive the award," Abeyta said. "I feel very fortunate to work in the Rio Grande Corridor where there is a multitude of cultural significance."
"Champions are employees who go beyond the call of duty to help promote an initiative," said Dr. Benjamin N. Tuggle, Director of the Services Southwest Region. "They are not afraid to take on tough assignments and tend to be innovative risk takers that challenge an organization to a higher level of performance. This describes Cynthia perfectly."
"I am most grateful to receive the Manuel Lujan, Jr. Champions Award on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," said Abeyta. " I thank the Service staff that nominated me for this most honorable award. For the past six years, I have had the fortune to serve as the Services Middle Rio Grande Coordinator. As such, Ive had the opportunity to work with a multitude of folks throughout the Rio Grande watershed in carrying out the Services mission of working with others to protect, enhance and restore ecological functions within the Rio Grande. Being able to work in my native homeland with its cultural richness and natural resources has been a privilege."
Abeyta has worked for the federal government for 28 years. She joined the Fish and Wildlife service in 2000. She is a member of the Diversity Leadership Council of Albuquerque and as such she provides support to special membership meetings and recruits new members. She has been involved in many outreach efforts throughout her career, primarily in Hispanic and Native American communities. She has also been responsible for recruiting many students into student intern positions, many of which have lead to permanent federal positions in various agencies.
Along with these career commitments, Abeyta spends much of her personal time working with Hispanic and Native American communities here in New Mexico, as well as in Arizona.
Each Department of Interior bureau nominates employees. A total of nine people are selected to receive the award.
Recipients of the Manuel Lujan, Jr. award receive a trip to Washington, D.C.; a video-taped interview in the Secretary of Interiors press room; a very elaborate ceremony at the Department of Interior auditorium which included receipt of a beautiful crystal trophy from former DOI Secretary Manuel Lujan, Jr. (the first and only Hispanic Secretary of the DOI), followed by a reception. Abeyta was also grateful for the opportunities the award allowed her, including what she called the "wonderful experience of meeting many very interesting people from around the country and a grand homecoming that included a surprise luncheon from my coworkers. It was all wonderful."
