Beto O'Rourke Got An Award For What?

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- (Press Release) Texas Representatives Beto O’Rourke and Will Hurd were honored this morning as the 2018 winners of the Prize for Civility in Public Life. They became the first Texans to ever be selected for this distinguished award. Exactly 16 months after completing their 1,600 mile road trip from San Antonio to the nation’s Capitol, the Congressmen appeared together at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. where they were recognized for their bipartisan efforts, delivered remarks and took questions from those in attendance.

"The urgent concerns we're hearing across all 254 counties of Texas are too critical to abandon civility, decency and bipartisanship for anything that could otherwise divide us," said Congressman O'Rourke. "It's an honor to receive this award and now we must come together as Texans, as Americans to get after the big, bold, important work ahead of our country."

The award was presented by Allegheny College President James H. Mullen, Jr. “Their spontaneous demonstration of civility restored hope for many who have forgotten that political adversaries can discuss difficult issues with respect and civility, and that partisan jousting does not require demonization — and even can be engaged with joy,” said Mullen. “By engaging publically, their civility restored hope for many who have forgotten these important conversations can be had with respect and civility, even when participants have opposing views.”

The nationally recognized Prize for Civility in Public Life was created in 2011 to annually honor two public figures, one liberal and one conservative, who argue passionately but with civility for their beliefs. Previous winners of this distinguished award include U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, Vice President Joe Biden, Senator John McCain and Representative John Lewis.