John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL

www.sheddaquarium.org
Press Contact: Roger Germann, 312-692-3265, rgermann@sheddaquarium.org

Animal specialists care for all animals in the Oceanarium, including Beluga whales. Photo by Brenna Hernandez.

Spreading conservation awareness messages is one way the 75-year-old Shedd Aquarium is fulfilling its mission to show that marine life connects people to the living world and inspires people to make a difference. The John G. Shedd Aquarium’s conservation awareness campaigns and its multi-faceted educational programs reflect its strong leadership in the field and ensure its place as one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.

U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (IL_07) said, "The 7th Congressional District of Illinois is home to dozens of world-class cultural/educational institutions. The Shedd Aquarium is one of those precious jewels. It is the antithesis of the stereotype of the dull, dusty museum. The Shedd is a magical place which stimulates the imagination, excites the soul, educates the intellect, and touches the heart by letting us roam freely through the mysterious world of oceans, lakes and rivers covering more than 70 percent of our earth."

“Illinois is home to some of the best museums in the world, and the Shedd Aquarium truly is the best of the best,” said Senator Richard Durbin (IL). “Shedd Aquarium is a world leader in marine conservation and preservation of our ecosystem through their Great Lakes Initiative. The National Award for Museum Services presented to Shedd is richly deserved. My hope is that this recognition will bring more attention the Shedd's innovative exhibits and will inspire future scientists to help protect and preserve our precious marine life.”

“The best libraries and museums provide a window to a larger world, a place to discover big ideas,” said U.S. Senator Barack Obama (IL). “The efforts of the John G. Shedd Aquarium are a clear example of that, reflecting its mission to serve as a community resource where marine life connects us to the living world, inspiring us to make a difference. Through aquarium programs such as the Great Lakes Initiative, we learn about the natural resources from which we all benefit and derive enjoyment – resources that we must be careful to protect in the face of increasing conservation challenges. This National Award for Museum and Library Services is a fitting accolade for the innovative efforts of the Shedd Aquarium to inform and inspire us to explore our larger world.”