[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 61 (Friday, April 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING HAWAII'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the work 
and accomplishments of a team of individuals in Hawaii who have been 
honored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
as 1999 ``Environmental Heroes.'' We seldom take the time to recognize 
the outstanding accomplishments of those working at the community 
level, with high school students, far from Washington, D.C. Their 
dedication can make a big difference in people's lives and the health 
of our environment.
  Honored in Hawaii were Hawaii Sea Grant's Extension Director Bruce 
Miller, Hawaii State Representative Brian Schatz, and Youth for 
Environment Service Coordinator Sean Casey.
  This marks the third year that NOAA has recognized individuals and 
organizations throughout the United States for their ``tireless efforts 
to preserve and protect the nation's environment.'' The 1999 NOAA Class 
of Environmental Heroes included 34 individuals or programs, and the 
honorees are traditionally announced as part of Earth Day activities 
nationwide. Each honoree was also sent personal commendations from Vice 
President Al Gore who congratulated this year's heroes for their 
commitment and accomplishments in protecting the environment of our 
nation.
  The Hawaii team was recognized for their creation of Youth for 
Environmental Service, called YES. The YES program educates and engages 
K-12 students in discussions of local environmental issues and 
activities that sustain the environment. YES gives students a chance to 
get involved through projects such as restoring trails, planting trees, 
picking up litter from beaches and streams, and more. To date, YES has 
given presentations to more than 65,000 students in 450 schools, 
involved 25,000 students in environmental community service projects, 
removed 20 tons of debris from Honolulu streams, restored one mile of 
the most used hiking trail on Oahu; planted approximately 2,000 plants, 
cleaned 40 beaches, stenciled more than 2,500 storm drains with a 
``Dump No Waste'' message, and organized more than 350 other community 
service projects.
  The YES project is an excellent example of the partnering of 
extension and educational goals through the University of Hawaii's Sea 
Grant Program. Mr. President, I extend my warmest congratulations to 
our three Hawaii Environmental Heroes.

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