For distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Tom Philp of The Sacramento Bee for his deeply researched editorials on reclaiming California's flooded Hetch Hetchy Valley that stirred action.

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger (left) presents Tom Philp with the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Sebastian Mallaby of The Washington Post for his persistent and passionate editorials on the tragedy in the Darfur region of the Sudan, and David Yarnold and Daniel Vasquez of the San Jose Mercury News for their forceful editorial campaign against unethical behavior in city hall that resulted in significant change.