Mississippi Congressman Chip Pickering Honored by the Development District Association of Appalachia

Washington, February 27, 2008—U.S. Congressman Chip Pickering Jr. of Mississippi's Third Congressional District, co-chair of the congressional Appalachian Caucus, received a 2008 Congressional Award from the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) on February 26, 2008, for his "dedicated service" to the people of the Appalachian Region.

At the DDAA awards ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, Anne B. Pope, federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), praised Pickering for his support of the Commission's economic development work.

"Congressman Pickering has been quick to be an advocate for ARC with his House colleagues,"Pope said. "Whether it's helping communities respond to the dislocation caused by Hurricane Katrina, promoting a major industrial park at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, or working to maintain short-line railroads in his district, Congressman Pickering emphasizes the need for communities to think regionally in seizing economic opportunities."

On receiving the award, Pickering expressed gratitude to ARC and local development district officials for rallying to Mississippi's side in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. "Rebuilding, recovery, restoring, having a mission of restoration" is what ARC is about, Pickering said.

The Congressional Award is presented each year by the DDAA to a member of Congress for outstanding service to the people of Appalachia and support of the work of the local development districts and ARC. Local development districts nominate candidates, and the DDAA board makes the final selection.

The DDAA is a public, nonprofit organization made up of Appalachia's 72 multicounty planning and development districts. Its members work closely with ARC, other federal and state agencies, and local residents to identify and address economic development needs and opportunities in their communities.