[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15356-15357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE FLORIDA CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR RECEIVING THE 
           NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE'S ``ALL-AMERICA CITY'' AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         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 Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill 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 
Lauderhill, 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 Lauderhill. Now in its fourth decade of progress, 
Lauderhill is meeting the challenges

[[Page 15357]]

of the future through planned development with a focus on quality of 
life.
  The City of Lauderhill was first incorporated in 1959 with 
approximately 100 residents. Lauderhill grew by nearly 30,000 residents 
between 1970 and 1980 and now encompasses over seven square miles with 
a population of over 50,000 people. The business community is as 
diverse as its residents, with citizens from virtually every Caribbean 
nation from Haiti to Jamaica and every place in between. Lauderhill 
recognizes that its residents and business owners are key assets of the 
community. We are blessed to have informed, active and concerned 
members working for the betterment of the City and its residents.
  The City of Lauderhill is well known for its innovative efforts to 
improve the quality of life, including health and social services 
programs, recreational activities and events for the appreciation of 
culture and the arts. Lauderhill puts a premium on improving human and 
social services through strategic planning, expanding existing 
resources and creative financing techniques.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Lauderhill, 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 Lauderhill 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-America City.

                          ____________________