U.S. Rep. Howard Coble recently honored Southern Pines for being named an All-America City by the National Civic League for its work toward improving elementary literacy.

Coble inserted a congratulatory statement in the Congressional Record - the official journal of House and Senate proceedings - to draw attention to the literacy accomplishments of the Southern Pines community.

"This is a prime example of where hard work pays off for Southern Pines, North Carolina," Coble said in the statement. "The plan to improve reading through the resources of a coalition of business, government and civic leaders has resulted in Southern Pines being named an All-America City."

The National Civic League presented Southern Pines with the prestigious award July 2 during the Grade-Level Reading Communities Network Conference and All-America City Award celebration in Dever.

Coble praised town leaders for the development of a "sensible and sustainable plan to increase grade-level reading proficiency by the end of the third grade." The campaign is called Southern Pines Grows Great Leaders.

"With the efforts of leaders in the community such as The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines Public Library, and Boys and Girls Club expanding their summer reading programs, they have renewed the enthusiasm for elementary literacy," Coble continued in his statement. "Deserving thanks and credit for their hard work and effort toward elementary literacy include Southern Pines Public Library, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sandhills, Moore County Chamber of Commerce, Moore County Literacy Council, Moore County NAACP, Partners for Children and Families, Sandhills Children's Center, and United Way of Moore County. Also deserving recognition for this prestigious award is Southern Pines Town Manager Reagan Parsons.

"On behalf of the citizens of the 6th District of North Carolina, we congratulate Southern Pines for being named as an All-America City. The city called its campaign, 'Southern Pines Grows Great Leaders,' and we are thrilled that the National Civic League agrees with us that Southern Pines is a great place to learn and live."