Ohio Congressman Steven LaTourette is Honored by Development District Association of Appalachia

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2011—U.S. Congressman Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio has received the 2011 Congressional Award from the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA).

The award cites LaTourette for his "dedicated service to the people of the 13-state Appalachian Region and especially those citizens of the 14th Congressional District of Ohio." He was also recognized for his "continued support of community development efforts and the vital role that local development districts have in improving the Region's quality of life."

LaTourette said he was "honored to receive this award. I worked a long time to get Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning Counties added to the Appalachian Region. With the help of local development districts, the designation is truly helping the region."

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 the Appalachian Regional Commission (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 73 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.