* Senator Amanda Ragan, Representative Dave Heaton; 2013 Uncommon Public Service Award Recipients
Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award
Presented by: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association
The Uncommon Public Service Award was set up by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association to honor those public servants who make use of their time doing service work and humanitarian projects. While the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association appoints a panel of judges from the Board of Trustees, the Association requests the public to nominate a legislator who exemplifies and demonstrates honesty, integrity and uncommon and extraordinary public service to the people of Iowa. The nominees are judged solely on their public service and humanitarian projects. Names, locations and political affiliation of the nominated legislators are not seen by the judges.
Each year the two Uncommon Public Service Award recipients have come from and represented both political parties.
"Being a politician is a poor profession. Being a public servant is a noble one." Herbert Hoover
This years Uncommon Public Service Awards went to Senator Amanda Ragan and Representative Dave Heaton
Senator Ragan has worked to pass legislation to better the lives of children, the elderly, low income and disabled Iowans. She is respected on both sides of the aisle and works in a bipartisan, cooperative and collaborative manner.
Dr. Debra Derr, president of North Iowa Area Community College, made the following comments while nominating Senator Ragan for the award: "North Central Iowa is so fortunate to have Senator Ragan represent us. Her commitment to education and to our communities provides us with a strong and constant voice. She has supported community colleges and truly understands our mission. She ties what NIACC can do for its communities with economic and workforce development."
In the Senate, Senator Ragan quickly became a leader. Her peers chose her to serve as an assistant majority leader in 2002, a position which she continues to hold. Senator Ragan is currently chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee, Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, and also serves on Appropriations, Natural Resources and Environment, Rules and Administration and Veterans Affairs Senate committees.
Outside the Legislature, Sen. Ragan works as executive director of Meals on Wheels and of Community Kitchen of Northern Iowa. She is married to Jim Ragan and has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Dave Heaton represents Henry County and the northern portion of Lee County. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since January 1995.
Rep. Heaton is a former public school teacher and served in the United States Army Reserve 872nd Ordinance Company. He and his wife, Carmen, are the parents of two grown children and have two grandchildren.
In his nomination of Rep. Heaton, former State Representative Jeff Kaufmann said, "Rep. David Heaton demonstrates on a daily basis that the true leader is the person who brings people together to overcome challenges. He is a leader who serves as an anchor for others wishing to grow, learn, and lead. Dave Heaton is a champion for those Iowans who are most vulnerable: children, citizens with mental health issues, the disabled, and the tens of thousands of Iowans receiving Medicaid services. He fights for them each and every day. He has never hesitated to debate and fight forces in either political party who stands in his way of trying to provide the best services the State can afford."