U.S. Congress celebrates All-America City award winners
Mayors, county commissioners, city managers and business leaders from all over the country gathered to commend 20 cities for their innovative, inclusive and successful efforts to address and solve tough problems facing American communities. Several U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives also were present at the event.
“Today we recognize America’s local heroes,” said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who hosted the Congressional celebration. “Our country is fortunate to have these local elected officials, business leaders and community visionaries working in their communities to solve some of our country’s most complex issues.”
The 20 award-winning cities were:
* Seward, Alaska
* Canoga Park, Calif.
* Santa Rosa, Calif.
* Sierra Madre, Calif.
* Longmont, Colo.
* Dubuque, Iowa
* Hollywood, Fla.
* Miami Beach, Fla.
* Polk County, Fla.
* Lewiston, Maine
* Barnstable, Mass.
* Kansas City, Mo.
* South Sioux City, Neb.
* Clinton, N.C.
* Hickory, N.C.
* Laurinburg, N.C.
* Maumee, Ohio
* Georgetown County, S.C.
* DeSoto, Texas
* Spokane, Wash.
All-America Cities tackle tough community issues such as healthcare, environmental protection, demographic change, economic development, promotion of the arts, innovations in parks and recreation programs, cultural diversity, education, neighborhood revitalization, youth involvement in local decision-making and public safety.
The winners are selected in part for their ability to engage a broad cross section of the community, including youth, business leaders, elected officials, city staff and nonprofit groups in civic dialogues that lead to tangible results.
“You are among the best communities in America,” said Robert Rawson, Jr., board chairman of the National Civic League (NCL), which is the chief sponsor of the awards program.
Now in its 58th year, the All-America City awards program is reportedly the oldest and most prestigious community recognition program in the country. To date, more than 500 neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties and regions across the country have received the award. Some jurisdictions have won the award multiple times.
Nominations for the 2008 All-America City Awards are currently being accepted. To download the application form and obtain additional information about the awards program, visit NCL’s Web site at http://www.ncl.org/.
