The State Press, ASU
September 25, 2011
By Shawn Raymundo
ASU played host to political and civic duty leaders last week to honor elected and non-elected public servants for selfless works in the community.
The 66th Annual National Conference on Citizenship was a two-day conference focusing on America’s role in civic engagement.
Executive Director for NCoC David Smith began day two of the conference on Friday by speaking to a packed crowd in the Arizona Ballroom in the Memorial Union.
“The National Conference on Citizenship is an annual event that brings together leaders, civic leaders from non-profits, business and government to discuss the state of the civic health of our nation and communities around our country and what we can do to strengthen (it),” Smith said.
The NCoC worked with the Center for the Future of Arizona to bring the annual event to the state instead of its usual location, Washington D.C. The CFA is a nonprofit organization that performs research on state issues and creates initiatives to better the future of Arizona in areas such as education.
Smith said CFA demonstrated the leading example of selfless works to the state’s environment, education and job creation for its citizens, despite the “brand” the nation has on Arizona.
“We wanted to make sure we honored that and gave voice to what was really going on in Arizona and how Arizona was tackling some of these substantial challenges and try to use that as a way that other states can learn,” Smith said.
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon gave the welcoming remarks and discussed his efforts in civility as well encouraged citizens to participate in civic activities.
“I ask everybody to get involved. I’ve seen what it’s like from the inside, the award is so rewarding in terms of when you do make the difference,” Gordon said. “And we still can, whether it’s in the political world or it’s in the community or neighborhood. There’s always a few that can make a change.”
Following Gordon’s speech, members of the NCoC presented five awards for work in public service.
NCoC Chairman Michael Weiser presented the Franklin Award to congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for “outstanding federal service.”
Giffords could not make it to the ceremony but her close friend, colleague and former state senator Elaine Richardson accepted the award on her behalf.
Richardson said Googling Giffords’ name would always reveal her passion to civility, “whether it was mentoring other women, or her passion and commitment to veteran’s issues, her work with food banks, libraries, the military or schools.”
The HOOAH Award, which is named after the Army’s rallying cry, went to Marine Sgt. Eric Hilleman for being “an outstanding soldier who’s continued to serve our country beyond his time in uniform,” Smith said.
The final three awards are named after Giffords’ director of community outreach Gabe Zimmerman, who was killed during the Tucson shootings in January. Zimmerman is remembered for his works and commitment to the community.
The inaugural Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards had three categories: Leadership, Innovation and Civic Engagement.
President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation Paul Luna handed out the awards to non-elected public servants for portraying acts of civility within the Arizona community.
Director of Elections for Maricopa County Karen Osborne was given the Award for Leadership. The nomination sent on Osborne’s behalf called her, “Arizona’s most credible and supremely respected election official for decades.”
The Award for Innovation was given to Matthew Bauer, Maricopa County’s procurement supervisor for materials management.
Bauer’s success in implementing a reverse-auction system saved Maricopa County approximately $1 million, Luna said.
“(I’m) elated. It’s pretty exciting to get such a prestigious award,” Bauer said. “This award will hopefully inspire new generations of people to try and innovate, in any kind of local municipality, and make their government be the best it can be.”
Giffords’ District Director Ron Barber received the Award for Civic Engagement for his interactions with constituents of Giffords and “vulnerable members of our community,” Luna said.
Members of his family including his wife, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter joined Barber on stage during his acceptance speech.
“To get an award in Gabe’s name is about the biggest honor I think anyone could accept,” Barber said. “And for me it’s a very special award because of who he was and who he still is in our hearts … He was a master of civility.”