Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Melissa Hart announced today that Tom Hughes from Sarver, Pennsylvania is the winner of her 2006 Good Citizen Award. Hart made the announcement this morning at the Cranberry Municipal Building. Congresswoman Hart’s Good Citizen Award started in 1999 to honor individuals whose volunteer activities improve the quality of life of their fellow citizens and build a stronger community.

Mr. Hughes is a resident of Sarver, which is in Butler County. Mr. Hughes was nominated for the award by the Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity where he has been a volunteer since 1998. In fact, Mr. Hughes was among the volunteers who helped drywall the first house Habitat for Humanity did in Allegheny County.

“Without a doubt, Tom has made an enormous contribution to our region,” said Congresswoman Hart. “In his nine years of volunteering, Tom has had an impact on the lives of hundreds of people throughout our region. We are all better for the work that Tom has done. He and his family should be extremely proud of his dedication to others and the community.”

Each summer, Mr. Hughes also helps to organize work projects where groups of up to 50 people from many different states work on Habitat for Humanity projects. “Without Tom, I could not have had these camps, the kids would not have had the experience of helping those less fortunate and we would not have had the opportunity to partner with so many groups from far and wide,” wrote Diane Belitskus, Executive Director, Habitat For Humanity Allegheny Valley, upon nominating Mr. Hughes.

At the event, Congresswoman Hart also recognized the efforts of all the other finalists for this year’s Good Citizen Award. Others that have made tremendous impacts on their community include:

Pearl McMichael of New Brighton; Calvin Ray of New Castle; Stephanie Horvath of Edinburg; James King Sr. of Allison Park; Caroline Wheaton of Zelienople; Mark Vincent of Valencia; Jolinda Whittle of Beaver, Betty McDonald of Ellwood City, Cindy Sickelsmith of New Brighton, Annie Boyer of Wampum and Pamela Thiry of New Castle.

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