[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE FLORIDA CITY OF POMPANO BEACH FOR RECEIVING THE 
          NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE'S ``ALL-AMERICAN CITY'' AWARD

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
heartfelt congratulations to the City of Pompano Beach for its recent 
honor as one of the National Civic League's ten All-America Cities for 
the year of 2005. This award, which is presented every year to the ten 
cities that most represent civic excellence, is a true tribute to the 
great residents of the City of Pompano Beach and the state of Florida. 
I am proud to stand before this body and honor this great Florida city, 
which I am so privileged to represent.
  Each year, the National Civic League crowns its winners of the 
coveted All-America Cities Award--the nation's longest running and most 
prestigious civic recognition program. The National Civic League is a 
leading proponent of citizen democracy. Founded in 1894 by government 
reformers such as Theodore Roosevelt, the National Civic League is a 
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to building community and 
promoting political reform at the local level.
  The All-America City award recognizes American cities for their civic 
excellence. The award honors communities, such as the City of Pompano 
Beach, in which citizens, government, businesses and nonprofit 
organizations demonstrate successful resolution of critical community 
issues. Since 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed and only 
500 have been designated All-America Cities. The cities honored by the 
National Civic League highlight the successes of communities across 
America and serve as examples of how to work together to overcome 
obstacles and achieve tangible results.
  In order to be named an All-America City, finalists must present 
three innovative community programs to a nine-person jury. These 
presentations addressed a wide range of social and community issues, 
including youth, education, poverty, affordable housing, race 
relations, and others.
  The All-America City award has been called ``a Nobel prize for 
constructive citizenship.''
  Mr. Speaker, no city exemplifies the idea of constructive citizenship 
more than the City of Pompano Beach. From its humble beginnings as a 
small settlement on the shores of the Atlantic to its current size of 
over 25 square miles, Pompano Beach now boasts over 100,000 full time 
residents.
  The City was at one point the southernmost railroad station of the 
famous Florida East Coast Railway. It was not until the railway was 
built that South Florida was finally linked to the rest of the Nation. 
The first train arrived in the small settlement of Pompano on February 
22, 1896. At that time, the town consisted mainly of farmers and a 
handful of railway employees and professionals. Since then, the city 
has grown quickly, with farmland in the west and a peaceful beach town 
atmosphere in the east. These two areas merged successfully in 1947 to 
form the present day City of Pompano Beach.
  The diverse population of Pompano Beach, with its thriving Black 
community, is its biggest asset. Pompano Beach combines the lifestyle 
of a quiet seaside community with the benefits of a major metropolitan 
area. Its high quality of living, as well as its commitment to 
improving the lives of its citizens, has led to a quickly growing 
population.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Pompano Beach, Florida have brought credit 
and honor not only to themselves and their city but also to the people 
and State of Florida. The City of Pompano Beach is worthy of the 
praises of the people of Florida as well as the Members of the House of 
Representatives. It is a city truly worthy of emulation and worthy of 
the title All-American City.

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