CITY OF NEW BEDFORD, MASS.,
RECEIVES THE 2005 WALTER B. JONES MEMORIAL AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The city of New Bedford, Mass. has won the 2005 Walter B. Jones Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Government. Administered by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the award is given to local governments that have inspired positive change in the field of coastal management. A ceremony to honor the city and the other winners will take place on March 9, 2005 in Washington, D.C. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Under the leadership of Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr., New Bedford has made great progress in cleaning up and reusing the city’s numerous Brownfields to support improved environmental quality, economic development, public access to New Bedford Harbor and expanded capacity for the Port of New Bedford. The city has established extensive partnerships with the private and public sectors to achieve its Brownfields program goals.

“From coast to coast, remarkable people are making a difference. These awards honor the coastal and ocean stewards who dedicate countless hours and energy to conserving coastal resources and improving coastal communities,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, every two years NOAA honors the achievements and accomplishments of those who make noteworthy contributions in the management of the nation’s coast.

The awards were created to honor the late North Carolina Congressman Walter B. Jones. As chairman of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, Congressman Jones was a strong supporter of the National Marine Fisheries Service and Coastal Zone Management. He provided leadership on numerous legislative initiatives addressing coastal and ocean issues ranging from commercial shipping to oil spill clean-up and prevention to flood insurance reform.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and to providing environmental stewardship of our Nation’s coastal and marine resources.

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