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Mr. Garland Robinette of New Orleans, Louisiana Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD

Release Date: 10/22/2008
Contact Information: Gulf of Mexico Program Office at 228-688-3726

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced that Mr. Garland Robinette of New Orleans, Louisiana will receive a first place Gulf Guardian Award for 2008 in the Individual Category. The 2008 Gulf Guardian awards hold a special significance this year as they will be awarded in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Program’s 20th Anniversary Celebration! (1988-2008). The awards ceremony will be held on October 29, 2008 beginning at approximately 6 p.m.at the Hilton Riverside Hotel, Versailles Ballroom in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Garland Robinette is an accomplished television and radio journalist and artist who began his career as an environmental reporter for WWL TV Channel 4 in New Orleans in 1970 and rose to the position of news anchor. Since May of 2005, he has become a popular talk show host on WWL Radio 870 AM. For over thirty years, Garland has been passionate voice for restoring and protecting Louisiana’s valuable Gulf of Mexico coastal wetlands and environmental resources and has used his artistic abilities and prestigious journalist positions on television and radio to consistently champion the cause of coastal restoration and other coastal environmental causes.

Garland Robinette has been named radio talk show host of the year by the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Gambit Weekly and New Orleans Magazine. One of Garland’s most publicized recent awards was his special honoree recognition as a “Hero of America’s Wetland” in a special ceremony attended by members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, both past and present, along with state officials and dignitaries including then Governor Kathleen Blanco. In addition to his broadcast journalism skills, Garland was recognized for his donation of a special work of art he titled, “Louisiana Love Song” to be auctioned off to raise funds for America’s Wetland Foundation and their coastal restoration efforts. Garland’s special honoree recognition also included a “Toast of the Coast” that honored him and other individuals and organizations that have helped to educate the nation about the need to restore coastal Louisiana. Garland was one of those recognized for working over thirty years to ensure the recent Congressional passage of landmark legislation benefiting Coastal Louisiana.

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. A first, second, and third place award are given each year in seven categories – individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, partnership and bi-national efforts.

“Gulf Guardian award winners represent the very best in efforts to ensure the Gulf of Mexico region remains a place where people, industry, and the environment can continue to thrive,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Their accomplishments are making a positive difference for everyone, and EPA is pleased to recognize their environmental leadership.”

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States. The Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development and is proud to be celebrating 20 years in partnership to protect the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bryon Griffith, Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program said “After 9 years of conducting the Gulf Guardian Awards Program, I never cease to be amazed by the quality and depth of environmental accomplishments across the Gulf of Mexico region. The 2008 award winners will play an important part of the Gulf of Mexico Program's 20th anniversary celebration. (1988-2008) These special winners proudly illustrate for all of us what committed citizens, communities, governments, and businesses that share a common vision can do to improve, protect, and sustain our regional and national treasure, the Gulf of Mexico.”

For a list of all the Gulf Guardian Award winners for 2008, visit the Gulf of Mexico Program web site at https://www.epa.gov/gmpo and click on the Gulf Guardian Award button.

Editor’s Note: For more information about the Gulf Guardian Awards and the Gulf of Mexico Program, call the Gulf of Mexico Program Office at 228-688-3726 or visit our web site at https://www.epa.gov/gmpo.