FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Betsy Christian @ 512-478-8813
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1999

KEEP TEXAS BEAUTIFUL ANNOUNCES WINNERS $1,000,000 IN LANDSCAPE PRIZES

Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) today announced the statewide winners of the Governor's Community Achievement Awards. Nine communities will share $1,000,000 in landscaping prizes from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The winners will be recognized at KTB's 32th Annual Convention to be held in Austin, June 29-July 2, 1999. The Governor's Community Achievement Awards are presented to communities in nine population categories that have the best grassroots, volunteer environmental programs in the state. The nine winning communities exhibited excellence in community leadership, litter prevention, public awareness, education, solid waste management and recycling, illegal dumping enforcement and beautification. These prizes are designated for landscaping along state-maintained highways in their communities. According to Sharla Hotchkiss, KTB Board Pre

sident, the quality of the entries was exceptional. "This year's awards have reached a new level of environmental excellence. There were 54 communities who competed for this prestigious award, and together these cities represent a new level of community service in Texas," Ms. Hotchkiss said. Keep Texas Beautiful, the nonprofit state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, empowers Texans through education to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment. KTB works with volunteers, elected officials, businesses and state and federal agencies to ensure that every Texan will take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. For more information call 1-800-CLEAN-TX.