National Park Trust Selects John F. Seiberling to Receive 2002 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award

National Park Trust's Board of Trustees has selected John F. Seiberling, eight-term Member of Congress and the "patron saint" of many of today's national parks, to receive its 2002 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award.

WASHINGTON, DC - National Park Trust's Board of Trustees has selected John F. Seiberling, eight-term Member of Congress and the "patron saint" of many of today's national parks, to receive its 2002 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award.
John Seiberling compiled an astonishing record of accomplishment on environmental issues during his tenure in the House of Representatives from 1970-1987. During his eight terms as a member of Congress from Ohio, Seiberling chaired both the Alaska Lands Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Public Lands. He was instrumental in the passage of the Alaska Lands Act that doubled the size of America's national parks and led the fight to establish some of our country's most important urban parks.

NPT's Public Service Award was established to honor the memory and accomplishments of Bruce F. Vento. During his ten terms in the House of Representatives from the 4th District of Minnesota, Bruce Vento was a champion of the conservation movement. The first recipient was Alaska's former Lt. Governor, Lowell Thomas, Jr.

"The Award honors those in public service who have distinguished themselves as conservation champions, noted Paul C. Pritchard, President and founder of NPT. "What is unique about this year's recipient is that Bruce Vento and John Seiberling were very close allies. In fact, one could say that they shared not only a common agenda but a similar set of personal standards. Equally of note is that all three individuals Vento, Thomas and Seiberling, have fought to protect such places as the Artic National Wildlife Refuge," said Pritchard.

The Presentation will be made at a luncheon held on April 25 in Washington, D.C. The event occurs during national park week, the week after Earth Day. The luncheon will be held at the Phoenix Park Hotel.

National Park Trust is the only land conservancy dedicated exclusively to the preservation of America's national system of parks, wildlife and historic monuments.

More information:
http://www.parktrust.org/brucevento/vento3.html

Contact:
Robin Pritchard
Public Affairs
National Park Trust (NPT)
202-548-0500
robin@parktrust.org
Web site: http://www.parktrust.org