Greenville News: Senator chosen for Wilkins Award
Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman, Top News
State Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, will be the third recipient of the David Wilkins Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership, it was announced Saturday.
As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the state Budget and Control Board, Leatherman is one of South Carolina’s key power brokers.
The award is sponsored by Furman University’s Richard W. Riley Institute and is named for former House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville, currently U.S. ambassador to Canada.
It will be presented during a dinner at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Jan. 7, the day before the 2008 General Assembly session convenes.
Brian Mulroney, former prime minister of Canada, will be the keynote speaker.
The award is given annually to a South Carolina state House or Senate member who “embodies the highest principles of leadership based on integrity, compassion, vision, civility and courage,” according to selection parameters. A committee of business and community leaders, former legislators, political scientists and media representatives makes the final selection.
Sen. John Drummond, D-Ninety Six, a 42-year legislative veteran, received the first Wilkins Award, and House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, was the second-year recipient.
The Riley Institute, named for Greenville’s Richard Riley, a former governor and U.S. education secretary, created the Wilkins Award in 2006. The nonpartisan institute is affiliated with the political science department of Furman University.
Leatherman was first elected to the Senate in 1980, although his public service career dates to his 1967 election to the Quinby Town Council.
Tickets for the reception and dinner are $125 and can be reserved by calling (864) 235-8330.
The event also includes a forum on a critical state issue.
Senator chosen for Wilkins Award
Hugh Leatherman of Florence to receive citation for leadership
Published: Sunday, December 2, 2007 - 2:00 am
By Dan Hoover
STAFF WRITER
dchoover@greenvillenews.com
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