Bill Clinton at one of his last appearances as president. (Photo: Michael Williamson © Washington Post)

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February 19, 2001 -- Photojournalist Michael Williamson's dramatic portfolio caught the attention of the judges for this year's "The Eyes of History Photographer of the Year" award from the White House News Photographers Association.

"Winning this award is really exciting because in "The Eyes of History" you are competing with the best in the business and many of them are my heroes. Washington, D.C., is definitely a world city, linked to world events and as White House News Photographers we cover it all …our beat is the planet. This is definitely the best overall year I’ve had as a shooter and I’m thrilled to win this award," said Williamson.

President George W. Bush at his inauguration. (Photo: Michael Williamson © Washington Post)

His 26-year career has also awarded Williamson with two Pulitzer Prizes, in 1990 and 2000, and other honors. Williamson, who has been a Post staffer since 1993, says "this is definitely the best overall year I've had as a shooter." And he stressed the White House award is particularly valued as "you are competing with the best in the business and many of them are my heroes."

The White House Photographers' Association was founded 80 years ago as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Washington, D.C.'s, professional photojournalists and cameramen and women. This year's winning images will be exhibited at the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington, D.C., from May 23 to June 18.

View more of Williamson's work at the White House News Photographers Association Web site: www.whnpa.org.

Copyright © 2001 National Public Radio