This award recognizes exceptional service by weather observers. In Mr. Black's case, the timeliness and accuracy of his observations, as well as his attention to details, were recognized as being among the best in the cooperative observer network. The award's namesake was a Lutheran minister who made the earliest known recorded observations in the United States in 1644 and 1645.

Mr. Black also received the Edward H. Stoll Award, recognizing his 50  years of service as a weather observer. This award is named after  Edward H. Stoll, who recorded weather observations at Elwood, Nebraska, for more than 76 years.

In the picture: Attending the ceremony were (from left to right) Alvin Black, Montgomery County Treasurer, who is also William E. Black's son...John Boling, Mount Ida City Councilman...Jon Standridge, Montgomery County Justice of the Peace...William E. Black, the award recipient...Barry Spivey, Montgomery County Sheriff...and Ed French, Field Representative for United States Senator Blanche Lincoln. Click to enlarge.

	The ceremony was held in the courtroom at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Mount Ida. Staff members from the National Weather Service, as well as local and government officials, were in attendance.
In the picture: Mr. William E. Black (center) was honored by John Robinson (left), Warning Coordination Meteorologist...Jimmy Russell (second from left), Data Acquisition Program Manager...Brian Burleson (second from right), Hydrometeorological Technician...and Renee Fair (right), Meteorologist in Charge...all from the National Weather Service in Little Rock. Click to enlarge.