Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., has been named as this year's recipient of the Apgar Award for Excellence in recognition of his efforts at the national and local levels to promote smart growth and livable communities.

During his almost 30 years of public service, first in the Oregon House of Representatives and then on the Portland City Council and in the U.S. Congress, Rep. Blumenauer has developed innovative programs and legislation to improve the design and quality of life in towns and cities.

The third-term federal legislator, who was re-elected with 84 percent of the vote in Oregon's Third District, founded and serves as the co-chair of the Livable Communities Task Force within the House Democratic Caucus. He's also an active member of the bi-partisan Sustainable Development Caucus in the lower chamber.

"Government at every level has more impact on how communities grow than we like to admit," Rep. Blumenauer has said. "These policies have often led to urban blight and sprawl. Today, our challenge is to create a new dynamic where the federal government works in partnership with local communities to make them more livable."

The Apgar award is given annually by the National Building Museum, a private, non-profit institution that examines American achievements in the built environment. It was established by former museum trustee Mahlon Apgar IV and his wife, Anne, to recognize individuals for outstanding achievement in the observation, interpretation and evaluation of the field. Nominees have included authors, critics, educators, professionals and others whose work addressed these issues on the national, regional and local levels.

The award carries a $1,500 honorarium, which Rep. Blumenauer will donate to a charity in his home state.