City of Downey Captures 2013 All-America City Title [UPDATED]

All-America City Award for 2013 is presented to Downey, California!

All-America City program logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

UPDATED, SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 11:45 p.m.

By Brian Hews

The City of Downey has been selected as a 2013 All America City Award winner.

The announcement was made by the National Civic League in Denver, Colorado on Sunday afternoon.  Donwey Mayor Mario Guerra took to his personal Facebook page to share the news:

“Downey !! All American City !! We knew it, now everyone does too ! Congrats Team Downey,” Guerra wrote.

The other winners are Birmingham, Ala.; Peoria, Ill.; Dubuque, Iowa; Owensboro, Ky.; Dunn, N.C.; Garner, N.C.; Thomasville, N.C.; Norfolk, Va. and Montrose, Co.

“To win this prominent national award confirms what we have always known, we are a special city with a unique history and a promising future. It gives us a sense of civic pride in knowing that we are a nationally recognized community for our ability to be inclusive and collaborative with our citizens and businesses. Thank you to the National Civic League (NCL), Team Downey, our great staff, but most importantly, our residents for making Downey an All America City, ” said Mayor Mario A. Guerra.

In a statement to members of the media, city officials from Downey said, “All America City winners experience heightened national attention, a proven boost for the recruitment of industry, jobs, and investment. The communities honored each year are models of civic excellence.”

“Receiving this designation will help us recruit and retain new businesses, create new jobs and obtain grants for community betterment projects. Participating in  Denver was invaluable in sharing our successes and learning from other cities across the country in how to make Downey even better” said Councilmember Alex Saab.

Once described by pollster George Gallup as a “Nobel Prize” for civic accomplishment, the award has been given to very few cities since its inception in 1949.

“All America cities set an example and a standard of excellence for local problem-solvers throughout the country,” said NCL President Gloria Rubio-Cortes. “This is an award that gives us hope, ideas and inspiration as we look for ways to address the difficult challenges we face as communities and as a nation.”

The National Civic League has presented the title to more than 650 communities since 1949 based on “addressing local challenges with innovative, grassroots strategies that promote civic engagement and cooperation between the public, private and nonprofit sectors.”

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is chairman of the National Civic League Board of Directors.

“Through your applications, preparations and presentations you have already demonstrated the qualities we look for in an All-America City — collaboration, innovation, inclusiveness and a can-do spirit,” Hancock said in a video statement to the delegates. “In the eyes of the National Civic League Board, staff and All-America City volunteers, every community here is a winner.”