Buscetto Chosen For MLK Commission Leadership Award

City Councilor Michael Buscetto III has been selected to receive a state award from the State of Connecticut Martin Luther King Holiday Commission.

At a formal announcement at the on Thursday afternoon, commission chairman Dennis J. King said Buscetto is the 2012 recipient of the State of Connecticut Martin Luther King Leadership Award. The award is one of three awarded annually by the commission, along with awards for humanitarianism and community service.

 “His service to his community is without comparison, and we are pleased that by helping others, he has helped to keep ‘The Dream’ and the dreamer alive,” said King.

Buscetto, a real estate developer, is a board member and former president of the local Little League and also volunteers as a basketball, softball, and baseball coach. He has held , an annual fundraiser at to raise funds for nonprofits and other causes, for four years. Buscetto has been on the City Council since 2007 and is a write-in candidate for mayor. King’s recognition also noted Buscetto’s work with the Safe City Commission, mentoring efforts at the , and 2009 awards for Revitalization Leader of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and Citizen of the Year from the .

“The greatest thing that I’ll take from this today is not what I gave to my kids, but what I tried to give to the kids of the community,” said Buscetto.

Buscetto will receive the honor during the holiday’s 26th anniversary celebration in January, which will take place in the Hall of Flags at the State Capitol. He will also be recognized at the Martin Luther King/Hord Foundation Black Tie Gala in February.

Last year’s recipient of the Leadership Award was William Kilpatrick of the New Haven Parking Authority. Prior recipients include Senator Richard Blumenthal, Justice Norcott Fleming of the Connecticut Supreme Court, former State Treasurer Henry Parker, University of Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, Bishop Dr. Theodore Brooks Sr., and Dr. Muriel Atluru.