WASHINGTON, March 18, 2002—U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio was honored yesterday evening for his outstanding service to the people of the 13-state Appalachian Region by the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) during the kick-off of its annual training conference in Arlington, Virginia.

The DDAA is a public nonprofit organization comprising Appalachia's multicounty planning and development districts. Its members work closely with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and other federal and state agencies, and with local residents to identify and address economic development needs and opportunities in their communities.

"Senator Voinovich has been a leader and a champion—not only for his Appalachian Ohio constituents, but for millions of people throughout rural America," said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Jesse L. White Jr. "He understands the importance of strengthening education and improving telecommunications capacity in isolated, rural areas. But he also recognizes that change is nearly impossible until people work together. He's demonstrated this in his action."

Joining the DDAA board of directors and White in presenting a plaque of appreciation to Voinovich was Joy Padgett, director of the Ohio Governor's Office of Appalachia; and Clermont County Commissioner and Chair of the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission Bob Proud.

"It was through Senator Voinovich's strong and effective leadership that ARC was reauthorized," said Padgett. "He has seen to it that ARC is seated at the table as a full partner with other federal agencies. His contributions to southeast Ohio and to the rest of the Region are profound. This recognition to Senator Voinovich is a heartfelt 'thank you' by the people of Appalachia."

"Senator Voinovich vigorously supports the local development district concept of service delivery, as evidenced by his unwavering stand on less federal mandates and more local programmatic control," Proud said. "Through his advocacy and leadership in the Senate, ARC stands strong today. He has been a great friend to the Appalachian Regional Commission—and I am proud to have him as my senator."

Voinovich, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the sponsor of legislation recently signed into law by President Bush reauthorizing ARC through fiscal year 2006, became only the second person from Ohio to be honored by the DDAA. In 2000, Representative Bob Ney of Ohio was recognized by the organization for his service to the Appalachian Region.

Ohio's DDAA members include the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, based in Waverly (covering the counties of Adams, Brown, Clermont, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton); the Buckeye Hills–Hocking Valley Regional Development District, based in Marietta, Ohio (covering the counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington); and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, based in Cambridge, Ohio (covering the counties of Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas).