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EPA Administrator recognizes Whatcom County resident, Geoffrey Menzies, for outstanding voluntary service to Drayton Harbor and Puget Sound

Release Date: 08/20/2008
Contact Information: Judith Lee, 206-553-6911, [email protected] Mark MacIntyre, 206-553-7302, [email protected]

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson will honor Geoffrey William Menzies with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday, August 20. Mr. Menzies is being recognized with this national honor for devoting many hours of community service to cleaning up and protecting Drayton Harbor and the greater Puget Sound. He will be honored at a ceremony today on Seattle’s waterfront at Pier 66 at 2:00 PM.

Mr. Menzies has been volunteering to clean up Drayton Harbor for more than 18 years and was a member of the Drayton Harbor Watershed Management Committee from 1991 through 1995 when this group completed their Watershed Action Plan to control nonpoint sources of pollution that threatened Drayton Harbor.

He currently volunteers as Chairman of the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District’s Citizen Advisory Committee which since 1995 has been working to restore water quality and shellfish resources in Drayton Harbor.

“Today we honor Geoffrey Menzies for answering President Bush's call to serve a cause greater than himself,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Dedicated volunteers like Geoffrey are inspiring others to join them in delivering America a brighter, healthier future."

During his travels across the country, Administrator Johnson meets with individuals like Geoffrey Menzies who are answering the call to volunteer service, environmental education and pollution prevention.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.