North Carolina Congressman Shuler Receives Award from Development District Association of Appalachia

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2009—U.S. Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, an active member of the Appalachian Congressional Caucus, is the recipient of the 2009 Congressional Award from the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA). The award cited Shuler for his "ongoing commitment and strong support of the Appalachian Regional Commission and its programs" and for his "dedicated service to the people of the 13-state Appalachian Region." He is the first member of Congress from North Carolina to receive the award in its 20-year history.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope praised Shuler for his work on behalf of the people of Appalachia. "Congressman Shuler has been a tireless advocate for Appalachian communities throughout his time in the House of Representatives," stated Pope. "He has consistently fought to improve the economy of western North Carolina, and the entire Appalachian Region, by investing in infrastructure, education, and new technologies."

"Our mountain communities are a vital part of America's past, present, and future," Shuler said after receiving the award. "I am committed to making certain that our communities are properly represented in Congress."

The Congressional Award is presented each year by the DDAA to a member of Congress for outstanding service to the people of Appalachia and for support of the work of Appalachian 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 74 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.