DALLAS, Jan 29, 2002/ --- The season to bestow awards is officially in high gear and everyone is getting in on the action.

Today, those needing an awards fix will be relieved to learn that the Neighborhood Cleaners' Association has revealed the Best Groomed American of 2001: Regis Philbin.

The game show king's monochromatic, moneyed ensembles helped him snag a title that George W. Bush was honored with last year.

"We polled professional dry cleaners and their customers in order to find out who they regard as the best groomed Americans," explains Nora Nealis, executive director of the Neighborhood Cleaner's Association. "We weren't looking for the best dressed people, but rather for those Americans who obviously take care of their clothing and take pride in their appearance."

4,000 dry cleaners and millions of their customers agreed: Philbin fits the bill. His ratings may be slumping, but his silver ties are still shining.

This year, the president fell to the number three spot in the top five best groomed Americans. He was edged out of the first runner-up position by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield in a striking sign of the times.

Two clean and crisp newswomen, Katie Couric and Cokie Roberts, came in at numbers four and five, respectively.