Govan to receive 2006 Palmetto Passion and Policy Service Award on Thursday
Representative Jerry Govan is this year’s recipient of the 2006 Palmetto Policy and Passion Service Award, presented by the South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service.
The award recognizes a state legislator whose passion for service and dedication to his community is unparalleled. The Commission singles out legislators who are powerful advocates of service and who hold an unwavering belief in the ability of service to exact positive change.
“Rep. Govan has been a strong advocate for community service and youth for many years,” said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. “He volunteers countless hours of his time for public service and has provided positive opportunities for young people. You can find no better role model.”
Nominated by Commission member Mickey Lindler of Lexington, Govan has supported national service learning and community service initiatives. A graduate of Leadership Orangeburg, he is a past board member of the Kiwanis Club and served with Edisto Habitat for Humanity.
“It’s amazing to see Representative Govan infuse service through his many roles in government and in the community. He is a great of example of service as a lifelong commitment,” said Commission Chairman Dot Smith.
A graduate of South Carolina State University, Govan is immediate past Lt. Governor of Division 21 Carolinas District, Kiwanis International, and past chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention and Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the South Carolina Dropout and Truancy Prevention Council. In addition to Dropout Prevention, Govan has been noted for his youth advocacy work with Financial Literacy Education and Teen After-School Centers.
I feel both humbled and blessed to receive this award,” Govan said, “being mindful that faith, family and friends, are essential keys to success. We should all remember that each of us stands on the shoulders of others, and because of this, we should never hesitate to try and give something back.”
The South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service is housed at the State Department of Education and oversees national service programs in South Carolina, including the state’s nine AmeriCorps programs and service learning programs. The Commission has 22 members from across the state representing different constituent groups, including business, education, non-profits, youth groups and volunteers working with service programs.