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North Texas family honored with presidential volunteer award

Release Date: 06/12/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

EPA Administrator to recognize Mrs. Jenaie Franke and Family for outstanding service

(Dallas, Texas – June 12, 2008) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson will honor Mrs. Jenaie Franke and her Family with the President’s Volunteer Service Award today in Dallas.

The Franke Family of Cedar Hill, Texas, has devoted hundreds of hours of volunteer service to serving the needs of others in their community and abroad.

“Today we honor Jenaie Franke and her Family for answering President Bush's call to serve a cause greater than themselves,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Dedicated volunteers like the Franke Family are inspiring others to join them in delivering America a brighter, healthier future.”

Jenaie Franke is a team leader in the Water Quality Protection Division of EPA Region 6 in Dallas. Her husband Rob is mayor of the City of Cedar Hill. Together with daughter Farren, the Frankes reached out to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and worked tirelessly to provide food, clothing and employment to those displaced by the storm.

The Frankes continued their volunteer work during church mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico, where they taught English and environmental awareness. Jenaie has also served as coordinator of the annual EarthFest celebration held in Dallas for Earth Day. This year, more than 15,000 people attended the event.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteerism. Individuals, families and groups who have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours served over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime – receive award recognition.

More information on the President’s Volunteer Service Award is available at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/.

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