Edinburg now a four-time All-American City Award recipient
Photo above — Edinburg City Council and Mayor Ramiro Garza stand with National Civic League President Doug Linkhart after receiving a special proclamation for the All-American City Award on June 27, 2024. [Left to right: Councilmember Place 3 David Salazar Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem Daniel Diaz, National Civic League President Doug Linkhart , Mayor Ramiro Garza, Councilmember Place 2 Jason De Leon, and Councilmember Place 4 David White. Photo courtesy of the City of Edinburg.
By Maria Ruiz
Edinburg, Texas — Thursday, Edinburg officially became one of three top cities in Texas awarded the prestigious All-America City Award more than three times.
For the past 75 years, the All-America City Award, hosted by the National Civic League, has recognized cities nationwide that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation to address local issues.
Edinburg has won the award for three generations in 1968, 1995, 2000, and now, a fourth time in 2024. It is one of three AAC Award recipients statewide, following behind El Paso, a 5-time winner, and San Antonio, a 9-time winner.
“Edinburg is an All-American City once again,” said Mayor Ramiro Garza before a crowd inside the Edinburg City Chambers. “It’s history because it’s not the first time that Edinburg wins an All-American City. It’s the fourth time.”
Guest attendee National Civic League President Doug Linkhart, who flew in from Colorado, commemorated the occasion with a special declaration and commemorative All-American City Award plaque for the Mayor and City Council.
“Edinburg, you’re amazing,” said Linkhart. “I spoke to people afterward, after the jury was complete with their decisions. And people were so excited about the work you’ve done in your community.”
He continued. “You truly embody what the All-American City Award is about, which is including everybody at the table, celebrating the community as one, and showing you can do positive work in the city as one.”
The NCL President said that Edinburg brought a small-town feeling to the stage, outranking the stiff competition of larger cities such as Lexington, KY, and Oakland, CA.
“The celebration of inclusiveness and diversity that we saw through the presentation was really heartwarming,” said Linkhart. “It shows that Edinburg is a pillar to the community.”
Garza attributed the win to the city’s work for inclusion, community and cultural engagement, and strengthening democracy, which pushed this year’s theme: ‘Edinburg is for everyone.’
From inclusive waterpark plans with the Capable Kids Foundation to the expansion of collegiate education with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and fronting the South Texas Alliance of Cities for regional economic development, Edinburg continues to progress.
“We told our story, and we let the nation know that we stand with any city,” said Garza.
To represent Edinburg on a national stage, the city selected delegates from city-based organizations, departments, and partnerships to present from June 7-9:
The Capable Kids Foundation, Edinburg Conceptos dancers Ivy Hernandez and Gabriel Rios, the 2040 Committee, the Youth Advisory Council, the Culture Fest Committee, the Director of Library & Cultural and Assistant Director of Cultural Arts Magdiel Castle, Grants Director Claudia Farias, Parks Director Javier Garza, City Manager Mayra Ayala, Director of Media and Communications Roxanne Lerma, and Mayor Ramiro Garza each received plaques for their participation.
Even the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s mascot, the Vaquero, did its part in the ten-minute presentation before a panel of renowned city managers, judges, and leaders.
“It was a lot of moving pieces, but at the end of the day we brought it home,” said Lerma. “Winning an All-American City raises the profile of our whole community and it puts us on a national stage.”
She continued.
“Once you’re a community that’s an All-American City, you’re always an All-American City,” said Lerma.
But the work couldn’t be done without an initiative, as Lerma was the one who spearheaded the application process and worked with the city’s Grant Department, leading Edinburg to a historic win.
“Roxanne — she’s the one that put this together,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Daniel ‘Dan’ Diaz.
As city staff and community members celebrated the addition of a ‘2024’ to the city seal to mark their win, Mayor Garza said that Edinburg will continue to promote innovation, culture, community, and inclusiveness.
“We need to continue the work that we do,” said Garza. “We need to continue to make sure that we have that designation. It’s a lot of pride that comes with it, and it’s hopefully motivating everyone to be involved and make improvements to our city.”