News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation Employee Honored with National "Take Pride in America" Award

Media Contact: Jeffrrey S. McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: August 26, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation announces that Ms. Valerie J. Curley, of the South-Central California Area Office (SCCAO) in Fresno, is one of 25 "Take Pride in America" National Award winners for 2005. The winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on September 30, 2005, at the White House's Eisenhower Executive Office Building. "Take Pride in America," coordinated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, is a national partnership program of volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historical sites, and other recreation areas.

Curley is being honored for her leadership of two activities that embody "Take Pride in America" principles: SCCAO's annual "Catch A Special Thrill" (C.A.S.T.) event and San Joaquin River Cleanup activities. C.A.S.T. gives disadvantaged and/or disabled children a day to enjoy fishing and boating at Millerton Lake and provides the children, their families, and caregivers with recreational and educational on shore activities. Some 150 volunteers from State and Federal agencies and local community partners donate their time and expertise to make the event possible.

In 2004, Curley facilitated three efforts to clean up the San Joaquin River that resulted in the removal of more than 54,000 pounds of trash from the river. The cleanup was accomplished through a partnership between Reclamation, the city of Firebaugh, and RiverTree Volunteers, with assistance from the Sierra Club, the California Conservation Corps, and hundreds of volunteers from local organizations and schools. The community cleanup activities were held in recognition of the statewide "Keep California Beautiful" and national "Take Pride in America," "National River Clean Up Week," and "National Public Lands Day" campaigns.

Curley, an Environmental Engineer, manages the San Joaquin River Riparian Habitat Restoration Program. She has been with Reclamation 24 years, since graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (with an emphasis in Environmental Systems). She has also completed Interior's Manager Development Program as well as graduate work in Organizational Development. Curley is a member of the Family Community Church in Fresno; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

"I'm totally surprised by this award," Curley said. "I feel very blessed to have been selected to receive the "Take Pride in America - Federal Land Manager Award" for Reclamation. Without our partners and dedicated Reclamation employees, we wouldn't be able to carry out our programs. I thank them for their willingness to work together to make a difference."

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.