Washington, DC – Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) delivered the following statement on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to honor Iowa City, Iowa, for its designation as the world's third 'City of Literature' by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This prestigious designation makes the Iowa City Community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

“I want to express my sincere congratulations to the City of Iowa City for their designation as a City of Literature by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Iowa City is only the third city to receive such designation in the world and the first in the United States.

“This recognition is well deserved and rightly honors a city which has long been dedicated to literature and the arts. The City of Iowa City alone has produced more than 25 Pulitzer Prize winners in literature since 1955, as well as four recent U.S. Poet Laureates.

“I am proud of all who contributed to Iowa City receiving this designation including Christopher Merrill, the current Director of the University of Iowa International Writing Program. I trust future residents and generations to come will not only recognize the importance of the designation but also continue to carry on the city’s tradition of literary excellence."

To watch the Congressman’s floor speech, click here.