WASHINGTON - The National Center for Small Communities (NCSC) has announced that Charles Caillouet, a Mayor for City of Thibodaux, has won an American Hometown Leadership Award for outstanding leadership in American's smaller communities. Wal-Mart, which co-sponsors the award to promote strong leadership in small towns, is presenting the community a grant of $5,000. in Caillouet's honor. "The vision and dedication displayed by the winners of the American Hometown Leadership Award are qualities that are key to building and sustaining vital communities," said Betsy Reithemeyer, director of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "We are committed to improving these small communities by lifting up the best leaders who are making a difference." The Wal-mart grant is earmarked for community improvement projects to help boost the economic vitality of City of Thibodaux. Wal-Mart awards more than $4 million annually in Economic Development Grants to support local efforts to attract new business. This year, the company will award more than $720,000 to more than 300 communities across the country through the American Hometown Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding civic accomplishments by elected officials who have serve on a local government's board, council or advisory committee in a community with a population of 25,000 or fewer. "The winners of the American Hometown Leadership Award demonstrate not only outstanding leadership qualities, but also the creativity and initiative needed to bring a measure of excellence to their work," said Tom Jalicki, executive director of NCSC. "Their ability to envision great things for their communities, and their ability to translate that vision into action, makes them deserving of our highest honor." NCSC is the only national non-profit organization devoted to serving the leaders of America's smaller communities. The mission of NCSC is to provide small-town decision-makers with the tools to govern effectively and the skills to expand local economies, protect natural resources and preserve community character. The American Hometown Leadership Award is one of the many initiatives Wal-mart sponsors to support the communities in which the company operates. Wal-Mart ranked No. 1 in the 1999 Cone/Roper Report, an annual national survey regarding philanthropy and corporate citizenship. In 1999, Wal-Mart and its associates raised and donated more than $163 million for charitable organizations. The Economic Development grant award of $5,000 will be invested in the community to enhance development for the City of Thibodaux. An award ceremony will be held in honor of Mayor Charles Caillouet on October 17, 2000 at 8:00 a.m. at the Wal-Mart Super Center. The public encouraged to attend and celebrate this national award on behalf of the citizens of Thibodaux. | 
