Includes Items from Harrison Ford, X PRIZE Foundation, Will Steger & Erik Lindbergh

The Lindbergh Foundation has announced that Dr. Peter Diamandis, chairman and chief executive officer of the X PRIZE Foundation, and Minnesota native and polar explorer Will Steger, will each receive an honorary 2006 Lindbergh Award at an event to be held at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul on Friday evening, May 19 from 6 – 10:30 p.m.

A silent auction of unique and collectible items will be an exciting feature at this year’s 2006 Lindbergh Award Event. A few items up for auction include: three items from the movie “Air Force One” — a poster, VHS video, and a screening program from the Deauville Film Festival in France — all signed and donated by 2003 Lindbergh Awardee Harrison Ford.

Peter Diamandis (shown below, in Zero-G, aboard "G-Force One"), is sending a specially selected item, and Erik Lindbergh is donating a one-of a kind wooden “mini” rocket on a planet-scape base, which he created earlier this year.

Other items include: Will Steger’s “Stuff Sacks” used on his International Trans-Antarctica Expedition, 1989-1990; a framed piece from the Ford Tri-motor, which Charles Lindbergh flew in Mexico and used to give Anne Morrow her first airplane ride; a variety of items from Patagonia, Inc., a complete kayak package from Gander Mountain, Minnesota Twins tickets and memorabilia, Chandelle Winery’s Spirit of St. Louis and “Tingmissartoq” label wine; and two tickets to the EAA AirVenture 2006, and much more.

Dr. Peter Diamandis, a pioneer in the development of incentive prizes, will be recognized for his ability to inspire the brightest minds on Earth to tackle some of the most pressing issues in the world today. “A visionary, much like my grandfather, Peter Diamandis created the X PRIZE Foundation, to change the current paradigm of space travel,” said Erik Lindbergh (pictured below), grandson of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh and vice chairman of the Foundation.

“More recently the X PRIZE Foundation has expanded its scope to include prizes that will enable radical breakthroughs and innovative and cost-effective solutions to the great technical, social and environmental problems of our time.”

Will Steger, who made the first confirmed unsupported trip to the North Pole with a team of eight people and 50 sled dogs in 1986, will be recognized not only for his numerous polar expeditions, but also for his deep understanding of the environment and his efforts to raise awareness of current environmental threats, especially climate change. In 2007, utilizing the latest in web and communications technologies, students, educators and individuals will be able to travel along with Steger as he embarks upon his next expedition entitled, “To the Ends of the Earth.”

Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Foundation’s first corporate award for balance, which will be presented to Patagonia, Inc. Patagonia will be recognized for its use of organically produced and recycled materials in its clothing line and its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint by incorporating energy-efficient lighting and heating systems and use of recycled building materials at its facilities. Patagonia uses technology to solve environmental problems, and believes there is a strong connection between protecting the environment and successful business.

FMI: www.lindberghfoundation.org