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WASHINGTON, DC — Sister Cities International announced today the recipients of its Annual Awards program, which recognizes sister city programs and volunteers for the impact they have made in their community during 2009. The recipients will receive their awards at Sister Cities International's 54th Annual Conference, July 27-31 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"These awards showcase the impact sister cities programs have in their own city and around the world," said Patrick Madden, president and CEO of Sister Cities International.

This year's recipients are:

Volunteer of the Year
Carol Seidberg, Phoenix, Arizona

Best Overall
Suffolk (Virginia) Sister Cities Association, population 50,000-100,000
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, population 100,001-500,000
Fort Worth Sister Cities International, population more than 500,000

Innovation: Arts and Culture
Sister Cities Association of Spokane, population 100,001-500,000
Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association, population greater than 500,000

Innovation: Humanitarian Assistance
Fort Worth Sister Cities International, population greater than 500,000

Innovation: Sustainable Development
Chicago Sister Cities International, population greater than 500,000

Innovation: Sustainable Development-Energy
Sarasota (Florida) Sister Cities Association, population less than 100,000
International Relations Council of Riverside (California), Inc., population 100,001 to 500,000

Innovation: Youth and Education
Sister City Association of Prescott (Arizona), population less than 100,000
Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, population 100,001-500,000
Chicago Sister Cities International, population greater than 500,000
Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association, population greater than 500,000

Each award recipient will receive a Sister Cities International commendation during the Lou Wozar Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, July 31 at noon at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque. The Annual Awards Program was established in 1962 to recognize outstanding sister city programs.

The 2010 Annual Conference was made possible through the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Department of State, Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Americans for the Arts, and the Carvey Family.

Visit www.sister-cities.org/conference to learn more about the 2010 Annual Conference.

MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251 or freimers@sister-cities.org

About Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation by focusing exchanges and public programs on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org. Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCityIntl.