Thirteen state tourism industry awards will be presented Monday at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and Selma Mayor George Evans will be bringing home one of those honors.

Evans will be awarded the Government Advocate award for his leadership in the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March celebration at the Renaissance Battle House Hotel in Mobile.

More than 200 tourism professionals across the state will be attending the conference. Evans said he was surprised to hear word about the award and added many people worked to make the anniversary special.

“I certainly appreciate it,” Evans said. “However, there are so many other people who were a part of this 50th anniversary celebration. I will receive it on behalf of the other persons who were involved like the foot soldiers of the movement. I’m honored to accept the award on behalf of the citizens of Selma, the city government and the foot soldiers who made it possible for us to enjoy the 50th anniversary.”

The award says a lot about the Queen City, Evans said.

“It says Selma is a special place. A very important and historical place,” Evans said. “It’s a place you can surely call home, and ultimately a place you can come to visit. Once you meet the people of Selma, you’ll come back.