The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was named a finalist for a 2019 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals award, or “Sammie.”
The finalists, announced May 6 by the Partnership for Public Service, include 26 federal employees and teams from more than 20 federal agencies. Described as the “Oscars” of government service, the Sammie winners will be announced Oct. 16 during an awards gala in Washington, D.C.
According to the Service to America Medal “Meet the Finalists” webpage, USGS research geologist Christina Neal and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory team are being recognized for their work in 2018, during which they “carefully monitored a large and sustained eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii and provided vital updates to protect residents, tourists and property from ash, lava and toxic fumes.” The HVO team is among five finalists in the science and environment category of the Sammies.
More info about HVO’s 2018 achievements is provided in this “Meet the Finalists” post: https://servicetoamericamedals.org/honorees/christina-a-neal-and-the-usgs-hawaiian-volcano-observatory-team/.
Beginning Friday, May 10, the public can vote online for the “People’s Choice Award” to honor the federal employee/team they think made the most significant contribution to the American people.
Voting ends July 8. The People’s Choice winner will be announced July 18 at a Partnership for Public Service event.
The public can vote at https://servicetoamericamedals.org/peoples-choice-award/ and https://ourpublicservice.org/.