Marshall, Texas, residents celebrated the distinction of being named an All-America City Sunday with an afternoon public reception and program at the Marshall Civic Center.
Marshall was one of 10 communities that earned the National Civic League’s prestigious All-America City Award this year. Marshall won it before in 1976.
This year’s theme was how communities support vulnerable boys and men, according to Christina Anderson, chair of Marshall’s All America City committee.
Anderson highlighted Marshall’s thriving Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines and its new Buard History Trail, a driving tour of the city’s storied Civil Rights heritage. Anderson compiled a long application. She says a delegation made a presentation in June in Denver.
“This is a city that takes that extra step, goes that extra mile to work hard to fulfill the rigor of something such as the All-America City award. It’s not just something that, oh, isn’t it nice to have an award on your wall. It’s about the rigor that went behind the work and the community effort it took,” Anderson said.
Yesterday’s event in Marshall was a kick-off to its marketing program for the All-America City campaign. Marshall City Manager Lisa Agnor says winning the award is one step. She thinks the award will be a source of civic pride for years to come. Now, she says, showcasing what the award can do for Marshall is the new focus.
“We have a committee established that will be pursuing an ongoing marketing program for the designation. We want to encourage businesses and organizations to use the distinction we’ve earned and promote Marshall,” Agnor said.
The National Civic League has presented the award for 66 years.
Marshall was selected as a finalist for the All-America City Award last year.
Other cities that won it this year include Carson, Salinas, and Stockton, Calif.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Somerville, Mass.; Tupelo, Miss.; Geneva, N.Y.; Spokane and Yakima, Wash.
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