hot topic | DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS
Recognizing Distinguished Service to the States The Council of State Governments Distinguished Service to the States Award, the Council’s highest honor, is awarded to outstanding individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing excellence in state government. The Council of State Governments, founded in 1933, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization of all elected and appointed state and territorial leaders. CSG is dedicated to the mission of enhancing public policy by connecting, informing and empowering state leaders. This mission is realized through a strong regional structure, the involvement of leaders from all three branches of state government, and a valued network of affiliated organizations, partners and private sector associates. The award recipient is presented with a gold medallion featuring a red, white and blue shield, representing our nation, comprised of four stripes, representing the four CSG regions (East, South, Midwest and West) and three stars, representing the three branches of state government.
CSG is proud to recognize with this award those whose distinguished service has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the community of states.
Texas Rep. Jerry Madden
CAPITOL IDEAS
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NOV / DEC 2012
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t 67 since Has represented Distric al term fin d 2003; in his 10th an Committee Chairman of the House on Corrections g Member of Redistrictin ry and Committee and Judicia ittee mm Co ce en Civil Jurisprud e Center Member of CSG Justic Board of Directors
dge of With his extensive knowle ctices and able pra t bes ice just l ina crim n has developed negotiating skills, Madde and parole ion and passed key probat improved has also He s. icie reform pol ess to acc sing rea public safety by inc expanding nt, tme trea hol alco and drug k into their communities reintegrate offenders bac lly sfu ces oing suc to ties uni opport has participated in ong transitional housing, and through such means as enile justice system. efforts to fix the state’s juv e that would later becom process and legislation t that would jec pro a As a champion behind a for l trai a ze stment, he helped bla and known as Justice Reinve throughout the country of criminal justice policy e fac the nge cha CSG Justice the ped go on to hel has n dde Ma lars over time. save states billions of dol y that few others could. e and programs in a wa pos pur its ne refi ter Cen our first into three segments. In in the Texas legislature focused y aril prim I s. “I can divide my career law n ctio n reform in general ele ctio ele dmark jor lan ma as’ did Tex s we rs, pas yea helped ties for military voters and School ual Virt on improving opportuni as Tex the p elo law. I helped dev judicial campaign finance offender registration ’s laws, setting up a sex ley Ash s pas ped hel rk, Netwo Family Partnership in rse Nu the for g ured fundin mittee on Corrections, program in Texas and sec Com use rs as chairman of the Ho Texas. And in recent yea Whitmire and others to manner with Sen. John I worked in a bipartisan reforms in Texas.” ice just cessful criminal implement our highly suc
H.C. "Pete" Poynter Jr. Government Affairs Retired from AT&T Services Inc. in August after 37 years Member of CSG’s 21st Century Foundation, National Conference Committee and the IGA Committee until his retirement Poynter represented AT&T in regional and national meetings of state government officials where he advocated regulatory and tax reform. He had responsibility for policy initiatives before the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors Association, The Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council and other political groups. A strong advocate for ethics and responsible government, he was one of the founders of NCSL's Center for Ethics in Government. That center is one of his proudest professional accomplishments. Poynter chaired the American Advocacy Project, a collaboration among CSG, NCSL, ALEC, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Governors' Policy Advisors, American League of Lobbyists and other interested parties. Representatives met to address the issue of the public's lack of confidence in government and several ethics scandals across the country. The discussions resulted in the creation of the Center for Ethics in Government, located on NCSL's campus in Denver. “The Center, led by Peggy Kerns—former minority leader in the Colorado House and member of the Clinton administration's Education Departm ent, is now able to address in an impartial manner the impact of ethics laws, lobbying rules and the role of leadership to prevent or minimize scandals within the system of government,” Poynter said.
