Previous winners, to name a few, include: Lance Armstrong, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Carter, Walter Cronkite, Bob and Elizabeth Dole, John Glenn, Alan Greenspan, Helen Hayes, Bob Hope, Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Colin Powell, and Oprah Winfrey. The belief that "one person can make a difference" inspired Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard to found the American Institute for Public Service in 1972 and establish the Jefferson Awards program.

Washington, D.C. was the site for the Jefferson Awards National Ceremonies - June 17, 18, and 19, 2002. The Jefferson Awards celebrating their 30th Anniversary have been recognized by many as the "Nobel Prize for Public Service." Sam Beard, President of the American Institute of Public Service believes the purpose of the Jefferson Awards is to celebrate the "Unsung Hero."

Among the 54 finalists from all over the nation was Mark Andrews of Charlottesville, Virginia. The American Institute for Public Service selected Andrews, 46, as a finalist for the national Jefferson Award from a pool of nominees numbering in the thousands. Andrews was one of three Central Virginians and two from the State to receive the Jefferson Award--the Gold Medallion in Recognition for Outstanding Public Service.

Sponsored by The Daily Progress, Brady Bushey Ford, Inc. and the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area, Andrews was honored at local and national events for Greatest Public Service Benefiting Local Communities.

Mark Andrews, Associate Director of Madison House - the Student Volunteer Center at the University of Virginia was selected for his passion and lifelong commitment to working with the disabled - designing and offering specialized programs, equipment and services to provide greater access to adaptive outdoor recreation.

"I'm ecstatic. I'm quite honored. An opportunity to meet and network with people from all over the country was both valuable and rewarding," said Andrews. He went on to say, "I had a chance to interact with a wide variety of extraordinary and inspiring people and to exchange ideas about service." Each of the finalists, are deserving in their own right of the honor associated with Jefferson Award because of how they give to their communities. "It's a big deal," said Nancy Leonard, the Jefferson Awards' national director.

During the three days of events in Washington, D.C., honorees participated in a variety of special events. These include: accommodations, hospitality, dinner at the Mayflower Hotel, a U.S. Senate Reception - Featuring Jefferson Awards Certificate Presentations, a Gala Dinner at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, a White House Event, and the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony and Reception at the U.S. Supreme Court Building.

The American Institute for Public Service Board of Selectors is comprised of a "Who's Who in America." To name a few, the board includes: Hank Aaron, Hon. Julian Bond, Hon. Thomas A. Daschel, Kirk Douglas, Hon. Trent Lott, Hon. Richard Lugar, Bill Moyers, Gregory Peck, Leslie Stahl, Lynn Swann, Cicely Tyson, and Jack Valenti.

At the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the honorees and guests were addressed by Laura Bush, the First Lady and other national dignitaries from the American Institute of Public Service--Board of Selectors.

The 2002 Jefferson Awards National Recipients were as follows:

• U.S. Senator John Heinz Award For Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official: Ruldolph Giuliani;


• S. Roger Horchow Award For Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen: Lilly Tartikoff;


• Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged: Bill and Melinda Gates;


• Greatest Public Service by an Individual Thirty-Five year or Under: Chad Pregracke; and


• Lifetime Achievement Award: Raymond G. Chambers.

A special Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award was also given to five of the regional winners - Rev. John Norwood, Angela Knight, Tomas Gutierrez, Linda Gregory, and Massie De Vore.