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Dillard University among winners of first environmental justice awards

Release Date: 10/21/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

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/.

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

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