Penelope Gross, Fairfax County supervisor and member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), and Mary K. Hill, Prince William County Supervisor and COG Board Chair, were honored during COG’s 2003 Annual Meeting for their distinguished service and commitment to regionalism.

COG selected the two to receive the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award, which is presented each year to elected officials who have made significant contributions to the region during their time in office. Both award recipients were recognized for their leadership on a variety of issues ranging from water and air quality to transportation safety and regional homeland security.

“Ms. Gross has been a lively and active participant in every issue that has come before the Council of Governments, from housing to transportation to education,” said Robert Dorsey, Board president pro tem. He added, ““Chair Hill has set the standard for future COG Board chairs for making the region a safer and friendlier place to work and live.”

Bruce Williams, Takoma Park mayor pro tem, received the Board’s annual Chairman’s Award for his leadership on various COG committees. Williams is chair of the Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee and the Environment and Public Works Directors Committee.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is the association of 18 local governments working together for a better metropolitan region.