WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced it has presented the Mark Trail NOAA Weather Radio Award to Schneider National Inc., a provider of transportation, logistics and related services.

Schneider will receive the award at a ceremony tomorrow in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Now in its ninth year, the Mark Trail Award program honors individuals and organizations that use or provide NOAA Weather Radio receivers and transmitters to save lives and protect property. Sixteen award recipients will be recognized nationally this year. Schneider National is one of only two Wisconsin companies being recognized in 2005.

"Schneider National has made a valuable contribution in severe weather communications to our nation," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards can provide the public with those extra minutes of warning in situations where minutes can save lives."

Schneider National was honored for its long-standing use of radios equipped with NOAA Weather Radio receivers in its fleet of 15,000 long-haul trucks.

According to Jeff Last, warning coordination meteorologist at the NOAA Weather Service forecast office in Green Bay, Wis., Schneider National has demonstrated excellent stewardship by recognizing the need for its drivers to have up to date weather information.

"Schneider trucks have a presence in every part of the country," Last said. "The company is committed to safe operating conditions and NOAA Weather Radio is a vital part of that safety plan. Not only does NOAA Weather Radio provide weather forecasts, watches and warnings, it is also an excellent management tool that helps individual drivers change their routes or prepare for upcoming road conditions."

"The combination of improved severe weather detection and forecasting capabilities, and expansion of our NOAA Weather Radio network is a proven formula for saving lives," said Weather Service Central Region Director Dennis McCarthy.

"Schneider National puts a great deal of emphasis on safety, including the use of technologies like weather radios, to provide our drivers with the information they need to operate with their safety and the motoring public’s in mind," said Don Osterberg, vice president of safety for Schneider National. "We’re honored to receive this recognition from the federal government."

The Mark Trail award is named for the syndicated comic strip character which serves as the campaign symbol for the NOAA Weather Radio program. Since 1995, Jack Elrod, writer and illustrator of Mark Trail, and King Features Syndicate have been strong advocates for publicizing severe weather safety through the use of weather radios.
"Jack Elrod and his alter ego, Mark Trail, have been great partners to NOAA’s National Weather Service in helping educate the public on the importance of having a NOAA Weather Radio in your home when danger threatens," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of the National Weather Service.