Kentucky Civic Leader Pat Bell Receives 2011 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2011—Kentucky civic leader Pat Bell was chosen by the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) to receive the 2011 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award.

The award was dedicated by the DDAA in 2009 in memory of Donald Myers, who was the executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and president of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance. Known as a dedicated public servant and champion of the people of Appalachia, Myers exemplified the humanitarian spirit the award was created to recognize and honor.

Bell was cited for his "ongoing support of and commitment to the communities and citizens of the Lake Cumberland region of Kentucky." He was commended for his "tireless efforts as mayor, county health department director, area development district director, county school superintendent, and educator." As a result of his work, the award stated, "countless individuals have had their lives impacted in positive and meaningful ways to the overall benefit of the region and the state of Kentucky."

The DDAA is a membership organization of local development districts (LDDs) in the Appalachian Region. The DDAA works to strengthen LDDs and their member governments and to provide leadership to support the Appalachian Regional Commission's federal-state-local partnership.