Vancouver church honors Ogdens

Harney Heights — Dan and Val Ogden were honored with the Jerry F. King Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 6 by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver. “Val and Dan Ogden, separately and together, are a force to be reckoned with,” congregation President Charlie Mitchell said. “Their lives have been characterized by creative, vigorous and sustained effort in the course of seeking to make the world a better place.” Dan has held many positions in government agencies including the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy, as well as educational institutions such as Washington State University. He was instrumental in ensuring the preservation of the Redwood National Park in Northern California, and the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails. Val served for 12 years in the Legislature and was a champion of civil rights, the disabled and economically disadvantaged, and the environment. She also served with numerous nonprofit groups such as the YWCA, Campfire Girls of America, Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center and the Southwest Washington Center for the Arts.