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Honors Ceremony Held on Fifth Anniversary
[EPA Journal - Jan. 1976]"We celebrate our anniversary with every reason for pride in our accomplishments, our own ability, and the importance of our work," Administrator Russell E. Train told a convocation of EPA employees in Washington on Dec. 2, exactly five years after the founding of the Agency.
"At the same time we know that the greatest challenges still lie before us. The job of environmental protection has just begun."
About 800 employees and members of their families met in the Departmental Auditorium on Constitution Avenue for EPA's Fifth Annual Awards ceremony, at which 22 individuals and five groups including 51 persons were honored for their outstanding work during 1975.
The people of EPA, Mr. Train said, "can take great pride in the fact that we are--with all our faults and failings--what we have always said we were: a government of laws and not of men and women merely.
"Yet...the essential worth and workability of our laws...are determined...by the character and competence of the men and women who administer those laws. Because each of you has given so much...commitment and plain hard work, there has been steady and solid progress..."toward the goal of "creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all Americans."
Mr. Train acknowledged hearing the suggestion that the Agency's greatest recent accomplishment has been to survive, with its environmental programs, "at a time of serious economic and energy difficulties."
"This may have an element of truth in it," he said, "but the fact is that, despite strong counterforces at work, EPA has not merely survived but has survived with strength. We have displayed continuing and growing vitality as an institution, while at the same time achieving very real progress in meeting environmental goals."
He said EPA will continue the efforts already under way to improve its effectiveness by:
Seeking to minimize the social and economic impacts of regulations and enforcement. "We have the most open and rigorous process of economic impact analysis in the entire Federal Government."
Simplifying and streamlining EPA regulations. "Our success will be measured by how clean the air and water become, not by the quantity and complexity of our regulations, and we are therefore committed to a continuing program of regulatory review."
Setting standards and deadlines that force polluters to take action and force the development of new control technology. "The disadvantages of a certain amount of non-attainment on schedule...are far outweighed by the advantages (of forced development)."
Strengthening the participation of States, local governments, and other public groups in developing and carrying out EPA regulations.
"We need to strengthen the role of our regions...and this means deemphasizing the role of EPA headquarters where we can."
Special guest at the convocation was William D. Ruckelshaus, the first Administrator of EPA, who received a standing ovation when he was introduced by Mr. Train.
The two-and-a-half years as head of EPA were among the most exciting years of his life, Mr. Ruckelshaus said. He congratulated EPA employees on their good work. "Now, as a private citizen," he concluded, "I want to say 'Thank you.'"
Mr. Train presented the Gold Medals for Exceptional Service and Silver Medals for Superior Service to the various recipients. Their names were called and citations read by their superiors in Headquarters offices or by Regional Administrators. These officials included Alvin L. Alm, Assistant Administrator for Planning and Management; Dr. Andrew Breidenbach, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water and Hazardous Materials; Patricia Cahn, Director, Office of Public Affairs; Carl Gerber, Associate Assistant Administrator for Research and Devleopment; Rebecca Hanmer, Acting Director, Office of Federal Activities; Fitzhugh Green, Associate Administrator, Office of International Activities; Roger Strelow, Assistant Administrator for Air and Waste Management; and five Regional Administrators: John A. S. McGlennon, Region I; Gerald M. Hansler, Region II; Jerome H. Svore, Region VII; John A. Green, Region VIII; and Clifford V. Smith, Region X.
Deputy Administrator John R. Quarles Jr. assisted in the presentation of the Youth Awards. Rupert Moray, Executive Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service, made the presentations of PHS Meritorious Service Medals to three officers assigned to EPA.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, fifth anniversary plaques were given by Mr. Train to each of the 10 Regional Administrators in recognition of regional employees' contributions to the Agency's work during the last five years.
Mr. Alm announced that all employees who have been with EPA since its founding--about 3,500 persons--will be given personal certificates of appreciation, suitable for framing and signed by Mr. Ruckelshaus and Mr. Train.