The Interior Department honored 103 persons, including three Bureau of Indian Affairs employees, in its 47th Awards Convocation on October 21.
Theodore Krenzke, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau, and William Finale director of the Bureau's Sacramento Area Office, received Senior Executive Service Awards in the form of cash bonuses. Gabriel Aripa, BIA forestry technician for the Colville Agency, received the Department's valor award for courageously saving the lives of three children on the Colville Indian Reservation in Nespelem, Washington.
"These outstanding employees fully merit our appreciation for the accomplishments," said Cecil Andrus, Secretary of the Interior Department. "They have made important contributions to the Department's achievements."
The Department honored Krenzke for exceptional administration of BIA programs, and for being instrumental in the development of measures to implement: the Civil Service Reform Act and the management improvement program within Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Finale was contended for playing "a key role in resolving issues 1:-elated to conservation of the Klamath Trinity River resources."
Aripa received honor for rushing to a neighbor's burning house where flames at the front entrance forced him to enter through the back door. He found 18-year-old Sherry Adolph unconscious and carried her out. Meanwhile, his· shouting aroused 14-year-old Karen Adolph, who escaped with her one-year-old brother. Aripa then covered himself with a wet blanket and entered the house in a vain attempt to rescue a remaining Adolph sister.
