Gaithersburg City Councilor Wins John Greeley Award

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Gaithersburg City Councilor Michael A. Sesma was presented this month with the 2018 John Greeley Award from Liberty’s Promise, Inc. The presentation was made at the organization’s annual fundraiser in Washington, DC on September 14.

Council member Sesma, the first Hispanic-American and minority elected to the Gaithersburg City Council, was recognized for his dedication to Liberty's Promise, immigrant youth, and to honoring the values of American democracy. He was first elected to the City Council in 2005, and has been re-elected to three consecutive terms.

The award is named in honor of John Greeley, one of the conceptual founders of Liberty's Promise. Founded in 2005, Liberty’s Promise serves low-income, immigrant youth through after-school civics programs and a professional internship program. The young people are encouraged to be active and conscientious American citizens.

In his remarks, Councilman Sesma praised Liberty’s Promise for passing along to the young people who participate in its programs a belief in egalitarian and democratic traditions.

“The young people I have met are curious, creative, earnest, and ambitious," said Sesma, who represents one of the most diverse cities in country. " It is clear to me that Liberty’s Promise programs help these students take advantage of their talents, experiences and unique perspectives to succeed in life.”

The City of Gaithersburg has hosted several Liberty’s Promise interns over the years, and the City partners with the organization on acculturation and employment initiatives. Mayor and City Council Members meet regularly with program participants in Gaithersburg to introduce to them world of local government.
For more information please visit www.libertyspromise.org.

Image via City of Gaithersburg