For a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation, Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Awarded to Paul F. Salopek of Chicago Tribune for his enlightening profile of the Human Genome Diversity Project, which seeks to chart the genetic relationship among all people.

Columbia University President, George Rupp (left), presents Paul F. Salopek with the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Linda Greenhouse of The New York Times for her consistently illuminating coverage of the United States Supreme Court (moved by the Board to the Beat Reporting category), and David Barstow of the St. Petersburg Times for his narrative portrait of the legal struggle against the tobacco industry, centered on the personalities who were key in reaching a tentative settlement of billions of dollars.