August 17, 2005
State Legislators and Staff Called into Military Service Receive NCSL Medal of Civic Honor
Indiana legislator, Washington staff member accept on behalf of all recipients
SEATTLE – Fourteen state legislators and state legislative staff from 12 states who were called into service during recent military actions were awarded the National Conference of State Legislatures' Medal of Civic Honor today at the opening of NCSL’s “Strong States, Strong Nation” 2005 Annual Meeting.
“Today, we pay tribute to men and women whose service strengthens our nation twice. These lawmaker/soldiers craft innovative policies in state legislatures, and also defend our freedom overseas,” said Maryland Delegate John Hurson, who is president of NCSL. “For their statesmanship and their bravery, we are deeply grateful.”
Indiana Representative Scott Reske accepted the award on behalf of the many recipients who could not attend the ceremony.
"On behalf of all of us, I want to thank all of you for your help and support," Reske told the room full of legislators and legislative staff. "When I was deployed, it was very important to me to know that my fellow senators and representatives were taking care of things."
This is the second time NCSL has recognized legislators and legislative staff members who are deployed abroad. In 2003, the conference commended those who had participated in either the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) or the fight against global terrorism (Operation Enduring Freedom). These 2005 medal recipients are those who have served since 2003 and were not honored two years ago. They are:
- Jonathan L. Paton of Arizona, Representative and a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve;
- Thomas J. Umberg of Calfornia, Assemblyman and a Colonel in the Army Reserve;
- Scott Reske of Indiana, Representative and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve;
- Charles Larson Jr. of Iowa, Senator and a Major in the Army Reserve;
- Anthony G. Brown of Maryland, House Majority Whip and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve;
- James G. Avery, Jr. of Missouri, Representative and Combat Engineer in the Missouri National Guard;
- Steve Stivers of Ohio, Senator and Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard;
- Derek L. Hammond of Pennsylvania, Senate Security Officer and Lieutenant in the Army Reserve;
- Derrick Wulff of Washington, Senate Supply Clerk and Sergeant in the Washington National Guard;
- Clifford Michael Wagner of Calfornia, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Rick Keene and Captain in the Army Reserve;
- Brent Miyagi of Hawaii, Information Resource Specialist in the House Clerk's Office and a Sergeant (combat medic) in the Hawaii National Guard;
- Tim Coonan of Iowa, Legislative Research Analyst and a Captain in the Army Reserve;
- Dirk Thibodeaux of Louisiana, Staff Attorney and a Captain in the Army National Guard; and
- Steven Grady of New Hampshire, Audit Manager and Major in the Army Reserve.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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