Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz accepted the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Award on Tuesday night, January 24th, at the 2017 Celebrate Business event. In addition to presenting Ruiz with an award, the Chamber played a video highlighting Ruiz’s accomplishments at the event.
Ruiz was selected by a panel of former First Citizen honorees, and was lauded for his work with the community to address veteran homelessness, revitalize Eugene’s downtown, plan for Eugene’s long-term growth, and promote economic prosperity.
“I am honored and humbled to be counted among First Citizens whose deep and active roots have been sustaining and nourishing our community,” Ruiz said in his acceptance speech. After recounting the ways in which previous First Citizens have impacted him, Ruiz said, “All First Citizens have similar stories, and I wish I could tell them all… Thank you to all of you for your unwavering devotion, passionate enthusiasm, pioneering spirit and intense loyalty to Eugene, and for showing up, being creative, and making a difference. Everyday.”
Ruiz’s full speech can be read here.