NMSF Stewardship Award 2003

Gala and Award

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award. I often compare marine sanctuaries to our national park system. The approach we’ve taken with national parks is to permit recreational uses consistent with the purpose of the park to the greatest possible extent. As we have discovered with the Flower Gardens, this balanced approach works for marine sanctuaries as well. I look forward to diving the Flower Garden Banks in the near future!” – Senator John Breaux

Presenting Sponsors
BellSouth
Global Industries, Ltd.
Shell Oil Company

U.S. Senator John B. Breaux of Louisiana was honored with the first National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Stewardship Award at a gala dinner attended by approximately 200 guests on Friday, January 24, 2003, at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. The award was given for Senator Breaux’s strategic support of the expansion of the National Marine Sanctuary System, and specifically for his role in the creation of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

 

The evening began with welcoming remarks and a reception at 6 pm. Then, in keeping with New Orleans’ tradition, Senator Breaux led a “Second Line” of guests, from the downstairs reception, through the Aquarium’s Gulf of Mexico exhibit, upstairs to the Pisces Room, where the dinner and program were held. Guests also had the opportunity to view the exquisite From Sea to Shining Sea, exhibit by National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Trustee Robert Lyn Nelson.

“From Sea to Shining Sea” has now moved to the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida.

Audubon Nature Institute CEO Ron Forman giving remarks at the reception in front of the Flower Garden Banks NMS permanent exhibit at the Aquarium

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, host of the event, is the private, non-profit partner to the federally managed National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation supports the outreach and education activities of the nationwide network of marine sanctuaries. “Senator Breaux has a long and distinguished record of supporting legislative initiatives designed to enhance the nation’s coastal and ocean resources,” said Lori Arguelles, Executive Director of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “Without his involvement, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary might not exist today.”

Gold Sponsor
BP America

Silver Sponsors
Acadian Ambulance Service
Alcalde & Fay/Carnival Foundation
Dominion Exploration and Production
Entergy
Kerr-McGee
McMoRan Exploration Co.

Bronze Sponsors
Adams and Reese, LLP
Dow Chemical Company
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere and Denegre, LLP

US Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) entertaining the crowd with his wry humor

A Night on the Flower Garden Banks: A Tribute to Senator John B. Breaux included a retrospective on the sanctuary, as well as a look ahead to its future. U.S. Congressman William J. Jefferson (LA-02) and Louisiana State Representative Mitch Landrieu gave tribute remarks during the award dinner, and U.S. Congressman David Vitter (LA-01) gave welcoming remarks during the reception.

Presenting Sponsor

William Dore, CEO and President of Global Industries, Ltd.

The distinguished guest list included former Congresswoman and former Ambassador to the Vatican Lindy Boggs; U.S. Commerce Department Deputy Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Scott Gudes; U.S. Minerals Management Service Director Johnnie Burton; National Marine Sanctuaries Director Dan Basta; Flower Garden Banks NMS Manager GP Schmahl; Louisiana State Representatives Jeffery Arnold, Thomas Capella, and Edwin Murray; Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy; National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Trustees Kym Murphy, Pat Romanowski and John Wright; and Audubon Nature Institute CEO Ron Forman.

Former Congresswoman and former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Lindy Boggs, standing for a round of applause for her many years of service	NMSF Trustee Kym Murphy and Senator Breaux in front of the NMSF "From Sea to Shining Sea" Exhibit
Presenting Sponsors
Raoul Restucci, President and CEO Shell Exploration and Production	Bill Oliver, President BellSouth Louisiana
Special Thanks to our Generous Chefs
The event also featured some of the nation’s finest chefs, including (above) Jeffrey Mora of Creative Culinary Design, Todd Gray of Equinox , Alan Ehrich of the Audubon Nature Institute and Keith Keogh of Red Lobster.
Chefs Paul Prudhomme and James Williams of K-Paul's Kitchen