[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of Concord, 
North Carolina as they compete for the 2004 All-America City Award.
  It has been my distinct honor to represent the people of Concord 
since I was first elected to represent the 8th Congressional District 
of North Carolina. This opportunity is especially dear to me because 
this is my home town and where much of my family still resides. In 
fact, my family has called Concord home for decades, and we have had 
the privilege of watching this community grow. Concord personifies the 
term, ``Southern Hospitality,'' and is home to some of the most 
engaging, welcoming, and civically responsible citizens in the state of 
North Carolina.
  Through the close relationships I have forged with the citizens of 
Concord, and the pride I have in this community, it is truly an honor 
for me to highlight this great city today. Because of Concord's hard 
work, the rest of America is getting to see the positive spirit of 
accomplishment that I have been fortunate to witness my entire life.
  The All-America City Award is a 55-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.
  The current nominees, including Concord, exhibit the American spirit 
of hard work and cooperation as they seek to identify and correct 
community-wide challenges. Concord is a community where citizens, 
businesses, volunteers, and government officials work together to 
address issues that are vitally important to their citizens. Concord 
should take pride in the fact that they are in contention for 
recognition by this national organization for their hard work. Truly, 
Concord is a great example for other communities to emulate as other 
communities seek to overcome the many challenges that face all 
communities, large or small.
  To qualify for the All-American City Award, Concord representatives 
first had to submit a detailed application highlighting the city's 
three most pressing challenges. They are: addressing the medical needs 
of the uninsured and underinsured, eliminating substandard housing in 
the community, and extending the mentoring and civic responsibility of 
the Boys and Girls Club of Concord. Programs such as the Community Care 
Plan, Cabarrus Housing Partners, and the Boys and Girls Club of America 
have been designed and implemented to ensure these aforementioned areas 
are addressed.
  I am pleased to represent such a fine community where the citizens 
come together to solve problems at a local level rather than waiting on 
someone else to fix things. A wise man once said that there are three 
types of people in this world: those who watch what happens, those who 
make things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Rest assured, 
the people of my home town, Concord, North Carolina are people who make 
good things happen. It is my honor and privilege to represent these 
good folks and I am hopeful the National Civic League will recognize 
the City of Concord's success by awarding them the All-America City 
Award.

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