[StBernard] Dillard University among winners of first environmental justice awards

[Westley Annis]

Dillard University among winners of first environmental justice awards 
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice honored for efforts after
Hurricane Katrina   

(Dallas, Texas - October 21, 2008)  Dillard University and the Deep South
Center for Environmental Justice is one of 12 winners of the first annual
Environmental Justice (EJ) Achievement Awards announced today by the
Environmental Protection Agency. 

The awards recognize organizations for their distinguished accomplishments
in addressing environmental justice issues, ranging from developing a tool
to target high-risk homes with lead contamination to empowering residents to
clean up New Orleans East for a safe return after Hurricane Katrina.   

"EPA commends the Deep South Center and its fellow award recipients for
their leadership in the field of environmental justice," said EPA Regional
Administrator Richard E. Greene.  "These organizations are making a positive
impact in their communities by promoting a clean and healthy environment for
all people."    

Award recipients include representatives from community-based organizations;
universities; and state and local governments from nine states.  EPA
received dozens of nominations from across the United States.    

Since Hurricane Katrina, the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at
Dillard University has focused much of its work on the research, policy, and
community outreach needs of the displaced minority population of New
Orleans.  The center has been engaged in job training and placement related
to environmental cleanups, with a focus on training displaced New Orleans
residents.  As a result, the center has mobilized minority residents and
minority contractors to participate in the cleanup and rebuilding of New
Orleans.    

Additional information on the EJ Achievement Award Program, including more
details about this year's recipients, is available at
http://epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/
<http://epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/> . 

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/region6 <http://www.epa.gov/region6> . 

An EPA audio file is available at
http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio102108_ejawards_dillard
<http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio102108_ejawards_dillard> . 

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