Beautification Programs
For decades national beautification programs have flourished throughout Europe including England’s Britain in Bloom, France’s Entente Floral and Ireland’s Tidy Towns. Canada’s Communities in Bloom has grown from 29 communities in 1995 to over 500, including an AIB / CIB Exchange.

America in Bloom's Objectives are:
To improve the visual appeal of America’s neighborhoods, parks, open spaces and streets through the imaginative use of flowers, plants and trees.

To encourage involvement and co-ordinated action by citizens of all ages, municipal governments, local organizations and businesses.

To emphasize environmental awareness and preservation of heritage and culture as key parts of the program.

More Than Just A Beauty Contest
American in Bloom is more than just a beauty contest. Specially trained, qualified judges volunteer their time to travel across the country during the summer to evaluate participating communities on the following eight criteria: (Community Involvement, Heritage, Environmental Awareness, Tidiness, Turf & Open Spaces, Trees, Landscapes, Floral Displays).

Based on a marking grid, judges assign points for effort displayed by a community in the above 8 criteria The communities are then awarded a bloom rating based on their total score. Although winners are announced in each population category, every municipality wins just by involving its citizens in a fun and rewarding process of continuous improvement. Participants are recognized at an annual awards ceremony.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important contribution of the America in Bloom program to communities across the nation.

This year, the contest will again provide communities with a forum to increase civic pride and community involvement through the challenge of a national evaluation. The program has registered almost thirty communities to date, including Batavia, Illinois, which I am proud to represent.

It is my hope that more communities will take part in this program as it brings together citizens of all ages, municipal governments and local organizations to work collectively for the visual improvement of America’s parks, neighborhoods, open spaces and streets. This can only encourage the preservation of our collective heritage and culture while creating a sense of unity and pride among citizens.