Hermiston was praised on the national stage for its culture of diversity Monday in Washington D.C. by the National League of Cities.

The city was awarded the 2013 City Cultural Award at the NLCs Celebrate Diversity breakfast in the nations capital.

Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBCs PoliticsNation, was the guest speaker.

Hermiston City Council president Rod Hardin, councilor Manuel Gutierrez and Hispanic Advisory Committee chairman Eddie De La Cruz traveled to the nations capital to accept the award.

Hardin and Gutierrez both said they were impressed by Sharpton, who spoke about the influence small cities can have on national issues.

The award comes on the heels of an immigration rally hosted by Hermiston and the creation of the Hispanic Advisory Committee in June 2012.

It was the first time De?La Cruz had flown on an airplane and visited Washington, D.C.

Its really exciting for us to know that (the city) received an award for the Hispanic Advisory Committee, De La Cruz said.

Hardin, who accepted the award on behalf of the council, holds a seat on the National League of Cities Small Communities Council, made up of representatives from cities with a population of 50,000 or fewer.

Its always nice to be able to say weve reached a level of accomplishment, Hardin said. Hardin said he was unaware the city had applied for the award until about two weeks ago. He said he was not surprised by the results, however.

The award will be presented in Hermiston during the Hispanic Advisory Committee on Monday, March 19.

Were going to show it off and take some pictures, De La Cruz said.

Mark Morgan, assistant to the city manager, said the city applied for the award in December and were notified of the win in late February.

Were really excited about it, Morgan said.