The mayor says much work is still needed, but the award is a 'sign of progress.'
YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jay Williams said winning a prestigious honor from The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Harvard's Institute of Politics is "more humbling than anything else."
Williams was selected as one of two winners of the New Frontier Award primarily for spearheading the Youngstown 2010 revitalization plan that increased funding to demolish vacant and dilapidated buildings and economic development in an attempt to revitalize the city.
"From a young child it was instilled in me that serving others is not to be viewed as a burden, but rather something to which we should aspire," Williams said Wednesday during an awards ceremony in Boston at the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Williams said while he was "humbled and eternally grateful for the award, I must acknowledge that I accept the honor with a modicum of trepidation. That is because I remain extraordinarily cognizant of the problems and challenges that the city of Youngstown yet faces."
Williams, 36, said that there is significant work in the city that needs to be done, but added that the award is a "sign of progress."
He added that he wanted the award to "serve as a source of inspiration, hope and optimism."
When contacted via e-mail by someone with the foundation about winning the award, Williams acknowledged he was initially "a bit dismissive of it" and "skeptical," wondering if it was legitimate.
"So I called and found out the significance of the award," he said.
The foundation presents two New Frontier Award winners annually to those under the age of 40 who is changing his or her community, and country, through commitment to public service.
Those selected demonstrate the impact and the value of public service in the spirit of President Kennedy, according to the foundation.
One winner is an elected officeholder and the other isn't.
This year's other winner is Zainab Salbi, a 38-year-old Iraqi-born American citizen who founded Women for Women International, a nonprofit organization that mobilized women worldwide to help women survivors of war.
The award was presented by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg , daughter of the late president.
The winners are nominated to a committee that selects them. Williams said he has no idea who nominated him.
Williams said there are times he wonders if his work in public service is making a difference.
"I will allow this award to answer those questions," he said. "It says to me, it says to all true public servants, not job 'well done,' but rather a job that must be continued, pressing toward the new frontiers of which President Kennedy so passionately spoke."
The Youngstown 2010 plan has attracted national attention including articles in The New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.