Russell Bauman Brecheen, Jr., Awarded Keep America Beautiful’s Iron Eyes Cody Award

Local Man Honored for Outstanding Leadership In Nashville Beautification Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 5, 2008) -- Russell Bauman Brecheen, Jr., of the Metro Beautification and Environment Commission was honored today at the annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference, receiving the Iron Eyes Cody Award. The award is given annually to a man who demonstrates outstanding leadership in promoting Keep America Beautiful’s mission.

The Iron Eyes Cody Award was created in honor of Keep America Beautiful’s landmark public awareness campaign of the 1970s, which is credited with awakening the environmental consciousness of an entire generation of Americans. This award is given to a man who is an outstanding leader in promoting Keep America Beautiful’s mission. This year’s recipient was honored for his dedication to the environmental preservation of Davidson County, Tennessee, and his active role in the Metro Beautification and Environment Commission of Nashville.

After 35 years of service at Pepsi, Russell’s retirement days have been anything but slow. For the past decade he has filled his days with community improvement work in the Nashville community. He is responsible for several programs including:

• The formation of a partnership with the WalMart Neighborhood Market in his district;
• The creation of both a 24/7 Recycling Drop-Off site with the proceeds of the recyclables being donated to the Nashville Alliance for Public Schools;
• Hazardous Waste and Education Collection Day Seven Mile Creek Cleanup;
• Dell Computer Recycling Sign Off Day; and
• The Great American Cleanup.

“Russell has worked for a decade on ensuring his community is a better place to live, ” said Matthew McKenna, president & CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. “I cannot think of a better way to honor him this year, than to give one of our top awards to him for his extremely fruitful efforts.”

"Russell sets a remarkable example of positive community involvement for all residents to follow,” said Veronica Frazier of the Metro Beautification & Environmental Commission. “He is a volunteer who shows exceptional leadership in raising public awareness about litter prevention, roadside and community beautification, solid waste issues and the need for citizens to participate in activities that preserve and enhance natural resources and public lands. His boundless energy, warm smile, and his commitment to improving our community makes Russell a true inspiration to everyone he meets. He is a Nashville treasure."

For a complete list of all Keep America Beautiful 2008 award winners from the 55th national conference, as well as information about its awards program, please visit Keep America Beautiful’s Web site at www.kab.org.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of nearly 1,000 affiliate and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. To learn more about Keep America Beautiful, go to www.kab.org.

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