Department of the Secretary |
Contact: Mark
Pfeifle/Joan Moody
|
For Immediate Release: September 3, 2003 |
202-208-6416
|
View NFL-Take Pride in America PSAs * http://www.takepride.gov/partner/more.html NFL
Players Promote Take Pride in America |
(WASHINGTON) - Public service
announcements will be broadcast during tonight's "NFL Kickoff Live
2003" on the Mall and on the nationally-broadcast game to promote
the Department of Interior's TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA initiative, which
encourages volunteerism on public lands. Take Pride is part of President
George W. Bush's USA Freedom Corps, dedicated to fostering a culture
of service to others.
"The NFL is proud to be part of the national Take Pride in America Initiative to encourage protection of public lands and cultural resources," says Patrick Ramsey, Washington Redskins quarterback, in one of the public service announcements to be broadcast Thursday. "Volunteer. It's your land. Lend a hand." LaVar Arrington, Redskins linebacker, says, "It makes me proud to have the NFL join with so many others in Take Pride in America." The PSAs can be viewed at http://www.takepride.gov/partner/more.html. "We greatly appreciate the commitment of these players and the NFL to showcase public service by volunteers to protect our natural resources," Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said. Secretary Norton will welcome the crowd - including thousands of military personnel - to the National Mall tonight for a free concert. The PSAs will show on the Jumbotron and in broadcasts of the game on ABC television and CBS radio. "Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers to put their love of country to work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural sites, playgrounds and other recreation areas," Secretary Norton said. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Norton,
former Redskins Darrell Green and Mark Moseley, former Pittsburgh Steeler
Franco Harris and other volunteers joined Home Depot to assist KaBOOM,
a nonprofit organization, in building a "playground for hope"
at the WC Smith Housing development in southeast Washington, D.C. "This partnership will help invigorate countless Americans to roll up their shirtsleeves and volunteer to restore a cultural or natural resource in their community," says Marti Allbright, executive director of Take Pride in America. Secretary Norton launched the Take Pride in America program on April 16, 2003, at the National Press Club. On June 27, Norton named Allbright, former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Colorado, as the director. In less than five months, Take Pride in America already has gained tremendous momentum by holding community service and award events and enlisting more than a 100 charter partners - including major corporations, conservation groups, service organizations, trade associations and a bipartisan coalition of state governors. Formal partnerships with state governments allow federal and state land managers to identify volunteer opportunities and to enlist public service commitments from citizens. Companies, conservation groups and others can help by sponsoring Take Pride in America cleanup days or by committing blocks of volunteer service time to local restoration efforts. Take Pride sponsors a national recognition and awards program For more information, go to www.takepride.gov. |