Singer Ruben Studdard, who electrified the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama two decades ago when he won the “American Idol” competition in its second season in 2003, was lauded by the mayor of Birmingham on Tuesday at the City Council meeting.

“I said that if I ever made it I would always tell people that I’m from Birmingham,” Studdard said.

“Mr. Studdard continues to make the Magic City proud,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin, after reading a proclamation honoring Studdard and declaring May 21 as Ruben Studdard Day.

On May 21, 2003, more than 40 million people watched the “American Idol” finale in which Studdard beat runner-up Clay Aiken. The two now perform together and will be going on tour in September.

Studdard will release his eighth album in September also.

“The Way I Remember It,” the first single from that album, will be released May 26.

“205, you put us on the map,” said Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander.

“I am the product of a wonderful arts education here in the City of Birmingham,” Studdard said, mentioning his musical training at Smith Middle School and later Huffman High School. “Birmingham has a rich musical history and I do all that I can to tell people that I’m not the first person from Birmingham, Alabama to do well in entertainment. I just talk about Birmingham the most.”