National Association of Secretaries of State Honors Richard Fulton with Political Courage Award

Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware and Iowa Advance to Final Ballot for State Innovation Award

For Immediate Release
March 1, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has announced honors related to two national awards programs.

On February 17, NASS presented the 2016 Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award to former U.S. Congressman and Nashville Mayor Richard Fulton. The ceremony took place during the NASS annual winter meeting in Washington, DC. Fulton’s son, Richard, accepted the award on his father’s behalf.

Richard Fulton was nominated by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for his enduring commitment to equality in voting rights and social justice during his long career as a public official.

"I am honored to have nominated former Congressman Richard Fulton as the recipient of this year’s Margaret Chase Smith Award for voting in favor of the Voting Rights Act in 1965,” said Simon. “Congressman Fulton gave millions of Americans a voice by giving them a vote, and is a living reminder that politically courageous acts are often vindicated by history.”

Established in 1992, the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award recognizes acts of political courage, character and selfless action in the realm of public service. A complete list of recipients can be viewed HERE.

On February 18, NASS also revealed finalist results for the 2017 NASS IDEAS Award, which recognizes innovation, dedication, excellence and achievement in state member programming, as well as contributions to NASS (in alphabetical order by state):

• Arkansas Secretary of State – Gov2Go
• Connecticut Secretary of State - Secretary’s Legal Assistance Project
• Delaware Secretary of State - Inspiration Spaces
• Iowa Secretary of State - Helping Veterans and Iowans with Disabilities Vote

Finalists for the NASS IDEAS Award are selected following an evaluation process by a designated group of peers. State submissions are judged according to their history, significance and effects/results.

Representatives for each finalist office are invited to showcase their innovative state program during a special IDEAS panel at the NASS summer conference, which will take place from July 7 to July 10 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NASS members will vote to select the national honoree from among the finalists, and the recipient office will be presented with the NASS IDEAS Award during the summer event. A full list of recipients can be found HERE.

“We are thrilled to be able to showcase ingenuity and diversity in state services through this year's finalist selections,” said NASS Awards Committee Co-Chair Al Jaeger, North Dakota Secretary of State. “As we plan for our summer meeting in Indy, members can look forward to hearing how Secretary of State offices are fueling new approaches to constituent services and public programs in a race to governing excellence."

More information about the NASS IDEAS Award HERE.

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ABOUT NASS

Founded in 1904, NASS is the oldest, nonpartisan professional organization of public officials in the U.S. Membership is open to the 50 states and all U.S. territories. NASS serves as a medium for the exchange of information between states and fosters cooperation in the development of public policy.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kay Stimson, Dir. of Communications | 202.624.3528 |kstimson@sso.org