General session scores big with keynote: retired NFL superstar Emmitt Smith wows crowd with opening address.

With the lights low and the energy high, the NRPA Congress and Exposition officially kicked off on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to the sounds of the Jefferson High School Jazz Band from San Antonio, Texas.

After NRPA Chairman Ron Lehman welcomed attendees to the opening session, he introduced San Antonio's District 2 Councilwoman Sheila McNeil, who took the opportunity to officially welcome all the visitors to her city. She explained, "I am a parks and recreation child--I grew up in those programs and I thank you for all you do and the difference you make. On behalf of the mayor and the city council, I thank you for choosing San Antonio."

Following McNeil, Charlene Braud, director of recreation for the city of New Orleans, thanked members not for just attending the conference, but for the outpouring of well wishes and offers of aid her department and the city had received following Hurricane Katrina. Her emotional speech resonated with the crowd, as she asked for continued support through NRPA's Gulf Coast Relief Funds.

"The support from my friends and my park and recreation colleagues has made all the difference in the world, connecting me to something outside of this disaster" she said. "It's wonderful to be able to stand here and thank you, from those who called or wrote words of encouragement to me and others like me, to those who donated to the various organizations to bring much-needed relief."

After a standing ovation, Lehman came back on stage to share NRPA's successes with the attendees. In addition to being in sound financial health, he announced that the public policy division has made several strides to securing more park and recreation funding; that membership successfully rolled out new membership categories and pricing; that our members reached out to Sri Lanka after the tsunami to help build playgrounds; and national partnerships worked with communities to host sport and health summits throughout the country.

But the highlight of the session came when retired NFL Running Back Eramitt Smith took the stage. Smith not only broke records and boundaries on the football field, hut distinguished himself by breaking boundaries for youth by creating assistance programs for them. He also is a graduate of the University of Florida's Public Recreation program, and as he said, was "honored to be among his peers."

"For me, it's pretty simple--when I reflect back I understand one thing," Smith said. "Kids across the country need a place to have fun and parks and recreation gives them that place."

Smith also talked about his youth, playing sports as he was growing up even though his parents didn't want him to--he looked to the park and recreation department to provide guidance and facilities that were safe so he wouldn't get in trouble at home.

He remembers that parks and recreation was really the place that his dream and his vision of who he wanted to be was formed, and for that, he believes that parks and recreation play a vital role in society.

"I honestly believe when you think about what place parks and recreation has in society, that it's instrumental for children," he said.

Smith opened the floor for questions after his address, and fielded inquiries about everything from his own son playing football, to who he admired on the field today. His honesty and openness were welcomed by the crowd with a standing ovation.

His speech set the tone for the entire Congress, which was one of empowerment and excitement.

Awards Handed Out for Excellence

In addition to listening to Emmitt Smith talk about his amazing experiences on and off the football field, attendees heard the announcement of the National and Gold Medal award winners. Congratulations to all that won:

NATIONAL AWARDS

Ralph C. Wilson Award Margaret Bell Young, Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation, Texas

National Distinguished Professional Award Dr. John L. Crompton, Texas A&M University

National Voluntary Service Award Jack E. Gallon, Metroparks of the Toledo Area, Ohio

Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award Jim Pryor, Kernersville Parks and Recreation Department, N.C.

Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research Dr. Joseph T. O'Leary, Texas A&M University.

Recognition of Significant Efforts or ROSE Award John C. Chambers, Las Vegas Adaptive Recreation Division, Nev.

Donna K. Brasher, Lower Colorado River Authority Community Services, Texas

DOROTHY MULLEN ARTS AND HUMANITIES AWARDS

Class 1 (Population 500,000 and more) Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department, Texas for "Follow the Dream"

Class 2 (Population 200,000 to 500,000) Lexington-Fayette Division of Parks and Recreation, Cultural Arts, Ken., for "Fiesta Latina"

Class 3, Population 75,000 to 200,000 Hollywood Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, Florida for "Bits o' the Bard."

Class 4 (Population 25,000 to 75,000 Gates Recreation and Parks Department, N.Y., for "Gates Showcase"

Class 5 (Population less Than 25,000) NAVSTA Great Lakes Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, Ill. for "Holiday Card Challenge 2004"

KUDOS MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION AWARDS

Best Overall Communication (Population less than 100,000) Bolingbrook Park District, Ill.

Best Overall Communication (Population more than 100,000) BREC, The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, La.

GOLD MEDAL AWARDS

State Parks Systems Class Florida State Parks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Class 5 (Population 25,000 or less) Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, Lake Forest, Ill.

Class 4 (Population 25,000 to 50,000) Leesburg Department of Parks and Recreation, Leesburg, Va.

Class 3 (Population 50,000 to 100,000) Wheaton Park District, Wheaton, Ill.

Class 2 (Population 100,000 to 250,000) Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department, Bellevue, Wa.

Class 1 (Population more than 250,000) Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Division, Saint Paul, Minn.