July 22, 2004
Connecticut, South Carolina Leaders Share Top Legislative
Honor
Recipients honored for bipartisan spirit and leadership
qualities
SALT LAKE CITY - A Connecticut and a South Carolina lawmaker
shared the nation's top legislative honor today, the 2004 Excellence in
State Legislative Leadership Award.
Connecticut House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward and South
Carolina Speaker David H. Wilkins are co-recipients. This is third
time in the history of the award that legislators have shared it.
Each year, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the State
Legislative Leadership Foundation and the Council of State Governments
honors a legislative leader who has exhibited a commitment to protecting
and strengthening the institution of the state legislature. The winner is
selected by a committee representing each of these organizations as well
as journalists, former legislators and scholars.
"Speaker Wilkins and Representative Ward have displayed true political
courage and leadership during their tenure as legislative leaders,"
said NCSL Executive Director William Pound. "Their ability to
forge consensus and tackle the difficult public policy challenges
has helped preserve the integrity and honor of the legislative
institution."
In accepting the award, Representative Ward said, "I am truly
honored. I couldn't be happier, or more proud."
Each award winner received a plaque and a $5,000 check made
payable to the charity of his choice. The benefactor of Representative Ward's prize will be the North Branford Scholarship Fund. The
benefactor of Speaker Wilkins' prize will be the Myers Center.
Speaker Wilkins said splitting the award made it more meaningful. "This
is even more special to receive along with a great leader like Bob Ward,"
Wilkins said. "Moments like these remind me that if I can see a
little higher, it's because I've stood on the shoulders of giants.
... I am grateful for this award, and the tiny role I've been
privileged to play in our democracy."
The Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award was first awarded
in 1996 to former Massachusetts Senate President William Bulger for his
career in public service. Since then, the nation's top state
legislative organizations have used the award to honor legislative leaders
who embody similar qualities of leadership and commitment.
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