Department of Justice (DOJ) Release.
Date: August 31, 2005.
Re: Annual Awards Ceremony.
Source: DOJ Office of Public Affairs.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 2:00 P.M. (EDT) AG
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2005 (202) 514-2007
WWW.USDOJ.GOV TDD (202) 514-1888

ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO R. GONZALES HONORS EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Individuals Involved In The Fight In The War On Terror Receive Top Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- More than 190 Justice Department employees--along with 17 other individuals, many of whom are federal employees and law enforcement officers--were honored today at the Department's 53rd Annual Awards Ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales presented the Department's highest award, The Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, to two outstanding teams for their efforts to combat terrorism. Fourteen investigators and prosecutors were awarded for their the successful prosecution of Ahmed Abdel Sattar for his role in an international conspiracy to kill, and of Mohammed Yousry and attorney Lynne Stewart for their provision of material support and resources to that conspiracy. The team's sacrifice, dedication, and investigative and trial skills resulted in convictions of these defendants for their acts of international terrorism.

"Today we honor our best and brightest, our most talented and our most dedicated," said Attorney General Gonzales. "The men and women we recognize today have shown courage, quiet heroism, and a determination to see justice for all. We are grateful for their service, their extraordinary work, and their sacrifices, which have done so much to keep their fellow Americans safe."

The recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service from this team include:

From the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York- Andrew S. Dember, Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney; Robin L. Baker and Anthony S. Barkow, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Christopher J. Morvillo, former Assistant U.S. Attorney; Elizabeth Bedner and Lillie A. Grant, Paralegal Specialists; from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Division- Richard Kelly, former Assistant Special Agent in Charge; Scott L. Kerns, Steven E. Sorrells, Phillip A. Swabsin, and Kimberley A. Whittle, Special Agents; Nabila Banout and Victoria Benjamin, Language Specialists; and from the New York City Police Department- Louis A. Napoli, Detective.

Attorney General Gonzales also presented an Exceptional Service Award to a team of individuals who worked tirelessly to protect the U.S. and its allies from terrorism by successfully identifying several individuals in the U.S. and abroad who posed genuine threats to the safety of our homeland. The arrest and suggested interviews of the primary suspect were vital to disrupting a network of extremists spanning many countries.

The recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service from this team include:

From the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Division- Kaiser Gill and Sean P. Clark, Special Agents; Counterterrorism Division- Adam S. Cohen, James F. Farley, and Dennis M. Wagner, Jr., Supervisory Special Agents; Brett A. Graham, Mollie M. Loeffler, Debra A. Manchas, Debra S. Bennett, Monique C. Anderson, and Brandon Beach, Intelligence Analysts; Dallas Field Division- Sean Joyce, Supervisory Special Agent; Houston Division- Albert Joseph Holl, Supervisory Special Agent; London Office- Joseph Hummel, Supervisory Special Agent.

The Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes an extraordinary act of courage and voluntary risk of life during the performance of official duties. While assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, Jeffery J. Higgins, an Assistant Country Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, and Timothy Sellers, a Supervisory Criminal Investigator from the Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Field Office, arrested an Afghan terrorist who manufactured improvised explosive devices for the Taliban and Hizb-I Islam Gulbiddion terrorist organizations. The recipients acted without hesitation or reservation to arrest the terrorist as he attempted to board a crowded bus while in possession of explosive materials. The heroic actions and extraordinary courage of the recipients saved the lives of numerous Afghan nationals.

The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. Mildred L. Seidman was recognized for her 50 years of unparalleled career accomplishments to the Department. As Chief of the Tax Division's Court of Federal Claims Section, she oversees the litigation of high-stakes, high-dollar tax cases. Through her passion for the law and her courage to pursue the government's just interests, Ms. Seidman has made significant contributions to the Department.

The Attorney General also awarded the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement, an honorary award granted to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. Investigator Scott R. Deming, Lieutenant Thomas P. Janus, Officer John Brennan, Sergeant Thomas A. Janssen, and all of the Rochester Police Department in Rochester, New York, were honored for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the interagency investigation and prosecution of organized violent crime and drug trafficking. As members of the Greater Rochester Violent Crime Team, the recipients identified and targeted persistently violent offenders in the Rochester area for federal prosecution for the possession and use of firearms and controlled substances.

Matthew Dixon, an 11 year-old from Sweet Home, Oregon, was presented with the Attorney General's Award for Meritorious Public Service, the top public service award granted by the Department of Justice. Matthew encountered a man and a young boy while hunting. He took a mental note of the man's description and of the license plate on the car the man was driving. Upon hearing that a young boy in the area had been abducted, Matthew informed his mother of his observation, who in turn notified local enforcement authorities. His awareness and clear thinking helped Linn County Sheriff deputies to locate the abductor and rescue the missing boy.

The Department's second highest award for employee performance is the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service. Ten Distinguished Service Awards were presented this year.

Twelve individuals received the Award for Distinguished Service for their accomplishments in Operation Baja Kings. This investigation included eight spin-off investigations; 66 federal indictments; and seizure of 148 pounds of crystal ice methamphetamine, 865 kilograms of cocaine, 5,500 pounds marijuana, and $9.5 million in cash. This operation not only opened the doors for future cooperation with Mexican authorities, but also exhibited to the criminal elements that there is no safe haven that truly protects them from their illegal activities. Members of this team are: from the El Paso Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-- Laurencio C. Brito, Supervisory Special Agent; Monica S. Abrell, Matthew Boyden, James T. Bohn, James K. Christiansen, Julio C. Cordero, Enrique J. Olivas, and C. Jay Rhoden, Special Agents; from the Mexico Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- Daniel J. Sacchini, Supervisory Special Agent; from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mexico-Central America Division, Ciudad Juarez Resident Office- John L. Roberts, Resident Agent in Charge; from the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Division- Stacy D. Zinn; and from the El Paso County Sheriff's Department- Detective Marcela Gil.

A Distinguished Service Award was also given to various trial teams that defended simultaneous challenges to the constitutionality of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. The trial teams handled and coordinated three bench trials under a compressed schedule of 120 days. The following individuals received the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award for their untiring effort: from the Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch- Anthony J. Coppolino, Special Litigation Counsel; Terry M. Henry and W. Scott Simpson, Senior Trial Counsel; Kaija C. Wadsworth, Preeya M Noronha, Andrew I. Warden, Peter J. Phipps, and James A. Gilligan, Trial Attorneys; from the Civil Division, Appellate Staff- Marleigh D. Dover, Assistant Branch Director; Teal Luthy Miller and Catherine Y. Hancock, Attorneys; from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts- Mark T. Quinlivan, Assistant U.S. Attorney; from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York- Sheila M. Gowan, Senior Litigation Counsel; and Sean H. Lane, Elizabeth Wolstein, and Joseph A. Pantoja, Assistant U.S. Attorneys.

Additional recipients of this award were recognized for their exceptional leadership, dedication, and service to the United States in responding to the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Blakely v. Washington. This team was also honored for their work in developing a legal strategy and advocating the government's position supporting the viability of the federal sentencing system in the extraordinarily expedited and complex litigation that ultimately resulted in the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Booker. Members of this team include: from the Office of the Solicitor General- Michael R. Dreeben, Deputy Solicitor General; Lisa S. Blatt, John P. Elwood, James A. Feldman, and Dan Himmelfarb, Assistants to the Solicitor General; from the Criminal Division, Appellate Section- Nina S. Goodman, Demetra D. Lambros, Stephan E.Oestreicher, Jr., Steven L. Lane, Joseph C. Wyderko, Michael A. Rotker, and Elizabeth A. Olson, Trial Attorneys; Patty M. Stemler, Chief; and Kathleen A. Felton, Deputy Chief.

Richard A. Hertling, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General from the Office of Legal Policy, received a Distinguished Service Award for his leadership in the areas of firearms and explosives, sentencing policy, and the President's DNA Initiative. His expertise, judgment, and skill have had a profound impact on the policies and legislative agendas of the Department.

A team of trial attorneys and economists received a Distinguished Service Award for its effort towards the Department's antitrust challenge of Microsoft. The Microsoft team's adherence to principles of both sound competition policy and vigorous law enforcement throughout the more than 10 years of work on the case has set the standard for antitrust enforcement in the United States. The following individuals from the Antitrust Division were recognized for their significant dedication and effort: from the Office of the Assistant Attorney General- Kenneth Heyer, Economic Director of Enforcement; James J. O'Connell, Jr., Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General; from the Networks and Technology Enforcement Section- Renata B. Hesse, Chief; Patricia A. Brink, Jessica N. Butler-Arkow, Joan Farragher, Kenneth W. Gaul, Philip A. Giordano, Aaron D. Hoag, N. Scott Sacks, and Adam T. Severt, Trial Attorneys; Jeffrey J. VanHooreweghe, former Trial Attorney; from the Economic Analysis Group, Economic Regulatory Section- George A. Rozanski, former Chief; Wayne R. Dunham, Suzanne E. Majewski, Jeffrey M. Wilder, and Dean V. Williamson, Economists; Economic Litigation Section- Gregory J. Werden, Senior Economic Counsel; Competition Policy Section- Diane S. Owen, Economist; from the Appellate Section- Catherine G. O'Sullivan, Chief; Robert B. Nicholson, Assistant Chief; Adam D. Hirsh, Andrea Limmer, Steven J. Mintz, and David Seidman, Trial Attorneys; from the San Francisco Field Office- Barbara J. Nelson, Trial Attorney; and from the Office of the Solicitor General-- Jeffrey P. Minear, Assistant to the Solicitor General.

Gordon L. Holdiman, a former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Kansas City Field Division, received the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions towards ensuring a safer and more secure America. His work has yielded invaluable intelligence information into the inner workings, criminal activities, past history, and hierarchy of criminal gangs of the St. Louis region. Special Agent Holdiman participated in the investigation that led to the prosecution of a convicted felon who escaped from prison and was at large for three years. In a recent investigation, his efforts foiled a young woman's vengeful conspiracy to kill a police officer.

Also receiving the Distinguished Service Award was Craig S. Morford, First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Ohio. In making a difficult recommendation regarding one of the first terrorism cases to be tried following September 11, 2001, Mr. Morford remained focused on his mission and adhered to the highest principles of federal prosecution by seeking equal justice under the law. In addition, Mr. Morford has demonstrated a keen sense of management acumen as well as prosecutorial prowess in his duties as a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The Motiva trial team was honored for efforts on a prosecution that served as the building block for worker safety. Motiva, an oil refining and retail business operation owned by Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, Inc., was found guilty of negligent endangerment under the Clean Air Act for the explosion and rupture of an acid tank at a Delaware refinery that killed one worker and injured several others. The $10 million fine imposed as a result of Motiva was the highest ever imposed in Delaware for an environmental crime. The recipients from the Motiva trial team include: from the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Crimes Section- W. Bruce Pasfield and Andrew D. Goldsmith, Assistant Section Chiefs; Mark W. Kotila, Senior Trial Attorney; and Erin H. Christensen, Trial Attorney; and from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware-- Edmond Falgowski, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

For his outstanding leadership of the Police and Corrections Assistance Program in Iraq, R. Carr Trevillian, IV was also honored with the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award. As Deputy Director of the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, Mr. Trevillian led several hundred U.S. police and corrections personnel in the development of the Iraqi Police Service and Iraqi Corrections Service and in the training of tens of thousands of Iraqi police and corrections personnel.

The Attorney General also presented the Distinguished Service award to a team of agents and analysts for its work in addressing the unique threats posed to the United States during 2004, including but not limited to threats relating to the Presidential primaries, party conventions, the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, and the November elections. Recognized team members included: from the Criminal Division, Counterterrorism Section- Steven A. Tyrrell, Deputy Chief; Joseph N. Kaster, Trial Attorney; from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, International Terrorism Operations Section- David N. Beall and James W. Stewart, Supervisory Special Agents; Lewis A. Robinson and J. Roger Morrison, Unit Chiefs; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Section Chief; Counterterrorism Division--John P. Salata, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst; Rhonda Dee Lewis, Supervisory Program Analyst; and from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security- Samuel T. Roudebush, Liaison to the 2004 Threat Task Force.

The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, which recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers, was presented to two teams of individuals this year. Enforcement officials involved in the investigation and prosecution of the 1-5 Mob were honored for their contributions. The 1-5 Mob, a violent drug trafficking organization located in the District of Columbia, was responsible for over 25 murders and numerous other acts of violence. Members of the investigation and prosecution team are Special Agents Daniel C. Sparks, James M. Burton, Kyle Fulmer, and Robert C. Lockhart, all from the Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Detectives Konstantinos S. Giannakoulias and Thomas R. Webb, and Officers Arthur Reed, Jr., Joseph W. Anderson, and Joseph R. Cabillo, from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department.

The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement was also presented to Special Agent Jason P. Wick and Forensic Auditor Michael P. Hanley, both of the Philadelphia Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, for their identification and pursuit of a group of public servants who used their position to commit nearly 50 arson fires in the community in which they worked.

Four Attorney General's Awards for Excellence in Management were presented this year, recognizing outstanding administrative and managerial achievements that have improved operations, enhanced productivity, or reduced costs.

Warden Jose Barron, Jr. of the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna, Florida, Warden Donald F. Bauknecht of the Federal Prison Camp in Eglin, Florida, and Executive Assistant Mary M. Mitchell of the Southeast Regional Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons were recognized for their coordinated efforts in the evacuation of approximately 5,000 inmates after a series of hurricanes seriously damaged three federal correctional facilities in Florida.

Sean C. Cenawood, Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, received an Excellence in Management Award for his leadership and tireless work in the growing field of immigration litigation. David M. McConnell, Deputy Director in the Office of Immigration Litigation, was also honored for his exceptional management and productive initiatives in this critically important field. A fourth recipient of the Excellence in Management Award was Catherine M. O'Neil, Associate Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. With Ms. O'Neil's strategic vision, the Task Force has impacted significant drug trafficking organizations in the United States.

The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes achievements in applying information technology to improve operations and productivity, reduce or avoid costs, and solve problems.

For their application of information technology to improve the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation and obscenity offenses, the Excellence in Information Technology Award was presented to James M. Fottrell, Assistant to the Chief of Computer Forensics and Investigations, and Lam D. Nguyen, Lead Information Technology Specialist, both from the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division.

J. Patrick McCreary, Associate Deputy Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, also received the Excellence in Information Technology Award. Mr. McCreary's contributions led to the development and implementation of a groundbreaking tool that allows for seamless information-sharing by law enforcement agencies.

The Excellence in Information Technology Award was also presented to contributors to the Arizona Sentence to Commitment Pilot Project. This project has dramatically reduced the time between sentencing and facility designation. Members of this team include: from the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Arizona-- Enrique Perez, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal; from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Correctional Programs Division- Paul M. Laird, Senior Deputy Assistant Director; from the Justice Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer- Ashok K. Sharma, Assistant Director; from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, District of Arizona- David F. Musel, Deputy Federal Detention Trustee, Office of the Federal Detention Trustee; and David C. Jones, Assistant Deputy Chief Probation Officer, U.S. Probation Office.

Margaret A. Skelly-Nolen, Deputy Counsel for Intelligence Operations, Office of Intelligence Policy and Review, received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security. This award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. Ms. Skelly-Nolen is recognized for her outstanding accomplishments as supervisor of the International Terrorism Operations Section 1 Task Force. The task force, formed at the direction of the Attorney General, is charged with reducing the backlog of pending applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act-a task that was completed in January 2005.

The Attorney General's Award for Equal Employment Opportunity was presented to John D. Butler, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Western District of Texas. This is the Department's highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity program. Mr. Butler was recognized for his ongoing recruiting and training of women and minorities through his support of the U.S. Marshals Service's Centralized Student Career Experience Program.

The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes contributions in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants. Laurie H. Davis, a Paralegal Specialist in the Office of the U.S. Trustee, Region 1, was recognized for her work in identifying and investigating fraudulent and abusive filings in Chapter 7 bankruptcies. A team of paralegal specialists from the Appellate Section of the Civil Rights Division was given this award for its contributions to the filing of timely and accurate briefs in the Office of Immigration Litigation. Recipients from this team include: Gloria L. Dabbondanza and Sarah Silbovitz, Paralegal Specialists; Jonathan D. Janow and Noah L. Browne, former Paralegal Specialists; and Brandy L. Wagstaff, Supervisor. Supervisory Legal Assistant Sandra K. Dotson also received the Excellence in Legal Support Award for her implementation of a training program for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida.

The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Administrative Support was presented to four individuals. In the Administrative Category, Michelle M. Judd, a Space Management Specialist from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Administrative Services Division, was honored for her support and guidance to field office personnel through space acquisitions, expansions, and renovations. Vyleen E. Yoder, a Management and Program Analyst from the U.S. Marshals Service's Witness Security and Prisoner Operations Division, received the award for her management of the Notification Initiative, an effort that enabled officials to administer the Witness Security Program in a discrete and viable fashion.

In the Secretarial Category, Rosita A. Baccus, a Legal Administrative Specialist in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division, was recognized for her administrative support. Kyle A. Johnston was also recognized for her professional and responsive administrative support. Ms. Johnston is an Administrative Officer from the North Central Regional Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The John Marshall Awards are the Department's highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in legal performance. Fourteen awards in nine categories were presented this year.

Paige M. Fitzgerald and Karima G. Maloney, Trial Attorneys from the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division received the John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation. The two attorneys used their investigative and litigation skills to resurrect the prosecution of a Jackson police officer acquitted in state court for raping a young African-American girl after a traffic stop, a horrific action which had left the young victim and the community feeling betrayed by the legal system. The prosecution of Maceo Simmons represents the ideal exercise of the Department's "backstop" function, delivering justice when a state prosecution left serious federal interests unvindicated.

Kelly A. Moore, Pamela K. Chen, and Jeffrey H. Knox, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern District of New York, also received the John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation. The team was honored for its prosecution and conviction of Mohammed Al-Moayad and Mohammed Zayed for material support of al-Qaeda and Hamas. Al-Moayad received a sentence of 75 years and Zayed faces a sentence of 45 years. Through the team's effort, a major source of terrorist funding and support was eliminated.

The John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation was presented to James N. Barkeley and Thomas C. Bradley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Alaska, and Kim R. Lindquist, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho. The team is recognized for its prosecution of the largest Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation in Alaska history, United States v. Vicente Zapata, et al., a multi-agency, multi-district investigation that disrupted and ultimately dismantled an international criminal network originating in the Dominican Republic and extending through New York, Los Angeles, the Midwest, Mexico, and Alaska.

Also receiving the John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation was a combined team of state and federal prosecutors whose efforts resulted in the guilty pleas of eight individuals in this multi-million dollar racketeering, obscenity, fraud, and tax evasion scheme. The team of individuals who were awarded for their work in United States v. Coil, et al. include: from the Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscentity Section- Andrew G. Oosterbaan, Chief; Benjamin J. Vernia, former Trial Attorney; from the Criminal Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General- Bruce A. Taylor, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General; and from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas- Mark H. Marshall, Assistant U.S. Attorney.

There were two recipients of the John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation. Edgar N. Brown, Chief of the Witness Immunity Unit in the Office of Enforcement Operations, Criminal Division, was honored for his efforts to ensure that the litigation-support functions under his supervision are handled with care and speed. Western District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. was recognized for his substantial efforts in the investigation and dismantling of a business involved in the internet sales of GBL-a "date rape" drug.

Jeffrey A. Clair, Appellate Staff Attorney, Civil Division, was one of two individuals presented with the John Marshall Award for the Handling of Appeals. Mr. Clair was honored for his many litigation successes, including numerous victories that have conferred significant benefits on the government and made major contributions to the development of public law while advancing the goals of the Executive Branch. For his participation in the training of attorneys and law enforcement officers and by constantly being available to advise trial attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Roy W. McLeese III, also received the John Marshall Award. Mr. McLeese represents the United States in the trial courts and appellate courts in the District of Columbia.

The John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice was awarded to Jon D. Pifer, Assistant General Counsel, and Thomas Gregory Motta, Associate General Counsel, both from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Office of General Counsel. The two lawyers were recognized for the key role they have played in revitalizing the Department's advocacy under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.

For his work in the initial drafting of many of the provisions of the USA Patriot Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and for his Compendium of Measures of Interest to Federal Terrorism Prosecutors from the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, Stephen M. Weglian, Senior Attorney, Counterterrorism Section of the Criminal Division, was presented with the John Marshall Award for Preparation and Handling of Legislation.

Two teams were awarded the John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture. The Asset Forfeiture Unit from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York was recognized for its extraordinary performance and dedication in seizing, restraining, and forfeiting more than $170 million in criminal proceeds since it was established by the U.S. Attorney in 2003. Honored team members included: from the Eastern District of New York- Elaine D. Banar, Claire S. Kedeshian, Richard T. Lunger, and Kathleen A. Nandan, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Tracey J. Knuckles, former Assistant U.S. Attorney; and from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Division--Douglas A. Leff, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Special Agent.

A team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Southern District of New York was awarded the John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture for its role in the investigation and prosecution of Operation White Dollar, a landmark, two-year undercover money laundering and asset forfeiture proceeding on the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange system. The team is comprised of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Boyd M. Johnson III and Kevin R. Puvalowski, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Berardinelli.

The John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution honored a team for its use of mediation in successfully prosecuting and resolving complex insurance litigation involving catastrophic loss to the U.S. Navy Exchange at Subic Bay. From the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard E. Rosberger, Robert W. Sadowski, and Kathleen A. Zebrowski helped to recover $7.85 million in funds vital to the support of the morale and the welfare of our sailors and their families at home and abroad.

Robert E. Moyer and David Jan van Hoogstraten received the John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation in Support of Litigation. Mr. Moyer, an Attorney-Advisor in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of General Counsel, and Mr. Van Hoogstraten, the former Associate Director for International Negotiations in the Executive Office of the President's Council on Environmental Quality, were honored for their successful resolution of challenging litigation that raised significant environmental and international issues.

The Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act Administration recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. This year's recipient was Brian C. Kenrick, Staff Attorney, Disclosure and Forfeiture Legal Division, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Mr. Kenrick's acumen, enthusiasm, dedication, initiative, flexibility, and common sense enabled him to have a demonstrable and positive impact on the administration of the Freedom of Information Act within the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Martha R. Hildebrandt, Acting Assistant U.S. Trustee, Office of the U.S. Trustee, Region 3 Newark, New Jersey, received the Attorney General's Award for Fraud Prevention. This award, which recognizes an individual's exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud and white collar crimes, was presented to Ms. Hildebrandt for her guidance and energy that focused on the referral of credit card cases, as well as other fraud prosecutions. Thirty-one convictions led to custodial sentences and restitution orders projected at $16.3 million.

The Attorney General's Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety Award honors outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award winners were recognized for developing, organizing, and implementing Violent Crime Impact Teams in areas densely populated with gang members, armed narcotics traffickers, convicted felons, and fugitives. With Violent Crime Impact Teams, local, state, and federal law enforcement agents band together by sharing technology and committing personnel and resources in the most threatening and dangerous areas of our cities. The following individuals were recognized for their role in this initiative: from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Office of Field Operations- Scot L. Thomasson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Seattle Field Division; Eric D. Harden, Operations Officer, Los Angeles Field Division; Anthony E. Rather, Special Agent, Baltimore Field Division; and Mark E. Kraft, Program Manager, Field Management Staff; from the Office of Enforcement Programs and Services, Firearms Protection Division- David H. Chipman, Branch Chief; Hans C. Hummel, Program Analyst; and from the Office of the Deputy Attorney General- Robert E. Trono, Senior Counsel.

The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee recognizes extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics, and skilled craft workers. Mark W. Wendt, Pipefitter Foreman, Federal Medical Center, Butner, North Carolina, Federal Bureau of Prisons, was given this award for his resolution of an issue which has plagued correctional staff throughout the Federal Bureau of Prisons for decades. He created a device that enables prison staff members to secure an inmate's food tray in a compartment before becoming exposed to the inmate when opening the slot door. This eliminates any possibility of assaultive behavior directed at the staff member.

This year there were four recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee. This award recognizes notable accomplishments towards the Department's mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service.

Bradley T. Gilmore and Erin A. Lane, Program Analysts in the Evaluation and Inspections Division, Office of the Inspector General, were honored for their efforts in guiding the Department's law enforcement components toward a better and more uniform approach to reporting, investigating, and reviewing shooting incidents involving Special Agents and Deputy Marshals.

David M. Mackey, Special Agent, Minneapolis Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, received the award for his efforts in obtaining a confession in an arson and homicide case. Mr. Mackey's compassion for people, his dedication to duty, and his sensitivity to the victims of crime have made a difference in central South Dakota.

Also receiving the Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee was Marnie Rothschild Shiels. As an Attorney Advisor in the Office on Violence Against Women, Ms. Shiels' leadership was instrumental to the development of the National Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Protocol. The protocol will improve the collection of evidence in sexual assault cases leading to increased prosecutions, while ensuring that victims are treated with respect and compassion. Ms. Shiels dedicated countless hours and effort to ensure the flawless execution of each task in the protocol development.