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MARK TRAIL AWARD:
On April 17, the Rural Utilities Service became the first Federal agency to receive the Mark Trail Award, given by the National Weather Service. The award was created to honor people and organizations that have saved lives or protected property by using, promoting, or enhancing NOAA Weather Radio (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Pictured:
RUS Administrator Hilda Gay Legg with Mark Trail Award
RUS received the award for its support for rural extension of NOAA Weather Radio through its Weather Radio Rural Expansion Grant Program. This program, initiated in Fiscal Year 2001, has already funded 41 new rural transmitter sites through 33 grants totaling more than $2,368,000. Applications have been received from more than 100 rural communities that are not covered by NOAA Weather Radio transmissions.
RUS was among 15 recipients who were recognized for noteworthy gifts, community action, or individual or group response to NOAA Weather Radio. The framed plaque contained a commemorative Mark Trail comic strip by Cartoonist Jack Elrod.
If you would like more information on how your community could benefit from RUS' Weather Radio grants, check out our web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/initiatives/noaa/weatherradio.htm.
Pictured:
Mark Trail Award
