[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 108 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H7181-H7183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING 10 COMMUNITIES SELECTED TO RECEIVE 2003 ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 230) honoring the 10 communities
selected to receive the 2003 All-America City Award.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 230
Whereas the All-America City award is the oldest and most
respected community recognition program in the Nation;
Whereas for 54 years the National Civic League has
encouraged and recognized civic excellence by honoring
communities of all sizes where business, citizens, voluntary
organizations, and governments work together to address
critical issues;
Whereas the All-America City Award recognizes exemplary
grassroots community-oriented problem-solving, and is given
to communities that confront challenges and achieve results
cooperatively; and
Whereas more than 4000 communities have competed and nearly
500 communities have been named All-America Cities: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress honors the cities of
Laurinburg, North Carolina; Tempe, Arizona; New Haven,
Connecticut; Miami Beach, Florida; Des Moines, Iowa;
Marquette County, Michigan; Wilson, North Carolina; South
Sioux City, Nebraska; Corpus Christi, Texas; and the Greater
Racine Area, Wisconsin, on receiving the National Civic
League 2003 All-America City Award.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Shays) and the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
{time} 1445
General Leave
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 230, introduced by my
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of North Carolina
(Mr. Hayes), honors the great All-American communities of Laurinburg,
North Carolina; Tempe, Arizona; New Haven, Connecticut; Miami Beach,
Florida; Des Moines, Iowa; Marquette County, Michigan; Wilson, North
Carolina; South Sioux City, Nebraska; Corpus Christi, Texas; and the
Greater Racine Area of Wisconsin. These 10 cities earned the 2003 All-
American City Award. This award is given every year by the National
Civic League.
Established in 1894, the National Civic League is the Nation's
oldest community advocacy organization. And, in fact, the All-American
City Award is the oldest community recognition award in the U.S. For 53
years, this honor has recognized cities whose citizens are the most
cooperative and involved in identifying and addressing community-wide
challenges in their area.
Ten cities are chosen each year, and this year's honorees are very
deserving. Each of these 10 cities has demonstrated, among other
qualities, effective local government, an outstanding philanthropic and
volunteer base, intercommunity cooperation, and strong citizen
relations.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I commend Laurinburg, Tempe, New Haven,
Miami Beach, Des Moines, Marquette County, Wilson, South Sioux City,
Corpus Christi, and the Greater Racine Area for their awards, and the
gentleman from North Carolina for introducing House Concurrent
Resolution 230.
I urge all Members to support its adoption.
[[Page H7182]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the All-American City Award, a 53-year-old program of
the National Civic League recognizing civic excellence, annually honors
10 communities that best exemplify the spirit of grass-root citizen
involvement and cross-sector collaboration on problem solving. Since
the program began in 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed
and nearly 5,000 communities have been named All-American cities.
The recipients of this area's awards, which range from Anchorage,
Alaska, to Elgin, Illinois, to Hampton, Virginia, symbolize the
backbone of our Nation, the ability of citizens, government, business,
and the nonprofit sector to come together and effectively address their
local issues and produce tangible results.
The first recipients of the awards were often those that
demonstrated local government reform and efficiency, as well as
improvements in the city's infrastructure, including housing, public
works, and education.
More recently, the focus has shifted to broader community
initiatives, such as economic development, health and social service
projects and efforts to improve race relations.
I commend all 10 recipients of this year's All-American City Award
for working tirelessly to make this country a better place to work and
live.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member is pleased to rise today as an
original cosponsor in strong support of H. Con. Res. 230, a resolution
honoring the 10 U.S. communities selected to receive the All-America
City Award. This Member is proud to note that South Sioux City, which
is located in the First Congressional District of Nebraska, received
this impressive designation.
South Sioux City is located on the banks of the Missouri River in
northeast Nebraska. It is the home of many recent immigrants and
refugees in addition to a population that has been there 4, 5, or 6
generations. It is a growing community with a population of almost
12,000, which is a 23 percent increase over the last census. It is part
of the Sioux City metropolitan area, otherwise known as Siouxland,
which is well known here on Capitol Hill for the annual steak dinner
they host for all Members. They have been doing that for some 20 or 30
years.
South Sioux City has many accomplishments. Some interesting things
the city has done recently include guaranteeing that all fifth through
eighth grade students have a home computer; creating a youth council
aimed at building youth leaders; creating a county-wide economic
development committee; constructing a 15-field soccer complex that is
very popular with their Hispanic American population, of course; and
building the world's first ecopath using recyclables versus aggregate
surfaces.
All of the citizens of South Sioux City are to be congratulated on
this designation. The mayor, William McClarty; the city administrator,
Lance Headquist, who always has a new effort for us to support; other
city and school district employees, the chamber of commerce and many
others played a role in this achievement. South Sioux City is a
progressive community. It has had problems but, it has always tackled
them straight on and been successful. I am very pleased that they have
cooperated so well cross-culturally in their achievements. The
leadership of South Sioux City is very proactive and skilled in
pursuing opportunities for the city. As a result, they have been very
successful.
Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to thank the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Hayes) for his initiative in bringing this resolution to
the floor. With respect to the community that is in my district, I know
that they are not going to rest on their laurels; they will continue to
grow and excel in the future.
This Member urges his colleagues to vote ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 230.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of
Laurinburg, North Carolina, and the other nine recipients of the 2003
All-America City award. It has been my honor to represent the people of
Laurinburg since I was first elected to represent the Eighth
Congressional District of North Carolina. Through this role, I have
been fortunate to forge many personal and close relationships with
these folks and witness firsthand why they are a worthy recipient of
this award. This really is an honor for me to be able to sponsor this
legislation today. Through their hard work, the rest of America is
getting to see the positive spirit of accomplishment that I have been
able to witness over the years. The All-America City Award is a 54-
year-old program sponsored by the National Civic League that recognizes
civic excellence. The award is given annually to 10 communities that
exemplify and display a positive spirit of grassroots involvement and
collaborative problem-solving in an effort to better their community.
These communities that we recognize today exhibit the American
spirit of hard work and cooperation as they seek to identify and meet
community-wide challenges. Laurinburg is a community where citizens,
businesses, schools, volunteers, and government officials work together
to address these issues that are vitally important to their citizens.
Laurinburg can and should take pride in the fact that they have been
recognized by this national organization for their hard work. Truly,
Laurinburg is a great example for other communities to emulate; and
they seek to step up to the many challenges that face all communities,
large or small.
In June of this year, the good people of Laurinburg sent over 100
delegates here to Washington, D.C., to participate in their All-America
City finals presentation. The presentation included a bagpiper. Perhaps
I should note here that Laurinburg can be found in Scotland County in
North Carolina and is home to the Fighting Scots. They also brought a
marching band and a group of their citizens who had crafted a fine
production designed to showcase our shared feeling of community pride.
To get that far, Laurinburg representatives had first submitted a
detailed application highlighting the city's three most pressing
challenges: access to quality health care, affordable housing, and
youth programs. The community is addressing these needs through
Scotland County Memorial Hospital's mobile health unit, Habitat for
Humanity's Providence Place Community, and the Youth Center Task Force,
and many other efforts.
I am pleased to represent such a fine community where the citizens
come together and work together to solve problems at a local level
rather than waiting on someone else to fix things.
A wise man once said there are three types of people in this world,
those who watch what happens, those who wonder what happened, and those
who make things happen. Rest assured, the people of Laurinberg, North
Carolina, are the type of people who make good things happen. It is my
honor to represent these good people. It is my privilege to sponsor
this legislation honoring the 2003 recipients of the All-America City
Award.
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend all 10 recipients of
the 2003 All-America City Award, and Representative Hayes for bringing
forth this resolution in their honor. I am especially supportive of
this resolution because one of the honored recipients, Marquette
County, Michigan, hails from my district of northern Michigan, lying on
the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
On June 14, 2003, Marquette County was selected as one of 10
communities in the United States to receive an All-America City
designation from the National Civic League at a ceremony in Washington,
DC.
I was privileged recently to personally congratulate the citizens of
Marquette County for this achievement when I visited there on the 4th
of July at the International Food Fest. This festival is yet another
example of the diverse and worthy activities in which Marquette County
excels.
The National Civic League has been recognizing civic excellence for
53 years and evaluates how well a community exemplifies grass roots
citizens involvement and cross-sector problem solving requiring
collaboration among
[[Page H7183]]
citizens, government, business and nonprofit organizations.
Marquette County was one of 30 candidates who sent hundreds of
delegates to Washington to compete in hearings before 10 All-American
City judges. The 40 delegates from Marquette presented vignettes of
cultural life in current day Marquette and Marquette history, serenaded
the judges, and wholly impressed the judges with their civic spirit.
The judges of this competition noted the Marquette County's
presentation contained more substance then hype, according to Marquette
Mining Journal managing editor David Edwards. They cited programs such
as the Marquette Medical Care Access Coalition and Juvenile restorative
justice efforts in announcing their decision.
Marquette's efforts were spearheaded by the lake Superior Community
Partnership, whose chairman, Monsignor Louis Cappo, accepted the award
in front of a cheering crowd.
This award shows how strong Marquette County's civic spirit is, and
this resolution recognizes that excellence of achievement. The true
measure of community is not necessarily coffee bars, good restaurants
and well lit streets, although Marquette has all of these. Nor is it
natural beauty and a close connection between people and their
environment, although Marquette has that in huge measure.
Rather, the best example of true community is shown by Marquette
County's programs that help people live happy, productive and engaged
lives, supported by and supporting their neighbors. Marquette County's
richness in these efforts made it possible for this small, thinly
populated piece of God's Country to be named an All-America City in its
very first attempt
I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of this resolution, and join my
colleagues in congratulating Marquette County and all ten of the All-
America Cities for their efforts and successes. It is a small token of
recognition for a very large effort. All of Marquette County should be
proud.
I certainly am. I ask that my House Colleagues join me in extending
congratulations to Marquette County, and the nine other All-America
Cities. Each city, each county, each community, helping each citizen,
each individual effort taken as a whole, is what makes American great!
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 230,
commending the cities chosen as All America Cities; and I thank my
friend, Robin Hayes of North Carolina, for introducing the resolution
to officially commend the winners of this competition in the House of
Representatives.
I join my colleagues in commending the City of Corpus Christi and
other winners for the recent accomplishment of being recognized by the
National Civic League as an All-America City. As a resident of Corpus
Christi, I can wholeheartedly endorse the concept that Corpus Christ
represents all the best in an American city.
Corpus Christi is a place where the pace is easy and the people are
the best there is. It is peaceful and beautiful with beaches, military
bases, and a vibrant business community.
Corpus Christi's presentation included our Juvenile Assessment Center
(an organization that helps decrease juvenile crime), Forward Corpus
Christi (an economic development organization), the Air Quality Group
(Corpus Christi is the only major city in Texas to meet state and
federal air quality standards), and a local Junior ROTC team.
One of the central components of our community is our military
complex. We often say South Texas is ``Navy Country.'' Four separate
bases are incorporated in the Corpus Christi area: an army base and
three naval bases. The military presence in the area contributes 20
percent to our local economy.
Corpus Christi conveyed this pride in our military, and demonstrated
the importance of our military community, by incorporating the
nationally recognized efforts of the Flour Bluff Navy Jr. ROTC into the
presentation.
It was the solemn and excellent presentation of the Jr. ROTC, which
has won seven national titles for excellence, and which led the way for
the city to win the recognition by the National Civil League as an All-
America City. Corpus Christi is the only city in Texas to receive this
distinct honor this year.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the other co-sponsors
of this resolution, all of whom are proud to live in an All-America
City, in commending Corpus Christi and the other nine cities honored by
the National Civic League.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 230.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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