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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President


For Immediate Release December 15, 1998
                        VICE PRESIDENT GORE HOSTS
                   1998 ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD WINNERS

Washington, DC -- Vice President Gore today welcomed this year's All-America City Award winners to the White House and applauded their innovation and example.

"America is enjoying the healthiest economy in a generation, and, for the first time in nearly two decades, America's cities are helping to lead the way," Vice President Gore said. "We are here today to celebrate some of the cities that are proving what Teddy Roosevelt said when the National Civic League was founded 104 years ago: that 'there are many ways in which a man or a woman can work for the higher life of American cities.' "

Established in 1949 by the National Civic League, the All-America City Award encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes (cities, towns, counties, neighborhoods and regions) in which citizens, government, businesses, and voluntary organizations work together to address critical local issues.

This year's winners of the All-America City Award were: Chelsea, MA; New Haven, CT; Fort Wayne, IN; Riverside, CA; Rochester, NY; Santa Maria, CA; Tacoma, WA; DeKalb County, GA; Saranac Lake Village, NY; and Toledo, OH.

"Today, we celebrate many things: the innovation and leadership of some of America's best mayors; the new spirit sweeping communities across America; the life and energy that is returning to some of America's oldest neighborhoods," Vice President Gore said. "And a new recognition across the land of this simple fact: if America is going to be strong, our cities must be strong."

The National Civic League is a 104-year old national non-profit organization headquartered in Denver focusing on issues of good government and community democracy. Best known for its annual All-America City Awards, NCL also works directly with communities to foster cross-sector collaboration and grass roots problem solving.

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