Speaker Hackney to receive award at NCSL Annual Meeting in Boston

As the new speaker of the North Carolina House, Joe Hackney is credited with restoring integrity in a chamber tarnished by the actions of its previous leader. Now he will receive the nation's top state legislative honor-the 2007 Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award.

Speaker Hackney, current vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), will receive the award at the NCSL 2007 Legislative Summit in Boston. He will also ascend to NCSL president-elect.

"Each year, NCSL and the State Legislative Leadership Foundation (SLLF) honor a leader who has shown commitment to protecting and strengthening the institution of the state legislature. Speaker Hackney has truly done that. His leadership has reinforced the foundation of the North Carolina House and it is now a more effective body," said NCSL Executive Director Bill Pound. "We are pleased to spotlight his diligence and statesmanship with this award."

An independent, non-partisan selection committee representing NCSL and SLLF as well as journalists, former legislators and scholars, selects the winner each year.

Hackney sponsored and negotiated for the passage of new ethics legislation during the 2006 session following a scandal involving the former speaker. He was elected speaker earlier this year after being elected to his 14th 2-year term in the North Carolina Legislature. The lawmaker, who also works as a lawyer and a farmer, has been in public service for 27 years. Letters nominating him for this award call Hackney a "Renaissance man," a "sincere servant," and "the quintessential citizen legislator and leader."

"It's humbling to be recognized as a leader from among all the dedicated lawmakers serving our states. We are all leaders, each representing thousands of constituents," said Speaker Hackney. "I took over as speaker during a time when the people of this state are demanding more accountability from their lawmakers and I, along with the other leaders in my chamber, have done what we can to bring that to them. I thank you for honoring our early success."

In addition to championing new ethics and lobbying legislation, he is also credited with fostering greater openness in the legislative process of North Carolina by better use of the committee system. He is also credited with helping to bring wireless laptops to the chamber so that legislators can use technology to bring democracy closer to the citizens.

"Joe Hackney is simply one of the finest men I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with. He earned this award because of his integrity, humility and eminent fairness to all," said Steve Lakis, president of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and a member of the award selection committee.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

The State Legislative Leaders Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1972 to serve America's state legislative leaders: Senate Presidents, House Speakers, Majority Leaders, Minority Leaders and Pro Tempores. SLLF conducts national educational programs and provides research on public policy issues, leadership behavior, and state legislatures specifically for state legislative leaders.