Iowa elected officials, government leaders and other dignitaries praised former Gov. Terry Branstad’s “courage,” “grace” and “integrity” during a ceremony Dec. 11 at the Iowa Capitol honoring his decades of public service.

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds presented Branstad with the Iowa Award for his “incredible lifetime of service.”

It is the state’s highest citizen award, and its recipients include such distinguished Iowans as President Herbert Hoover, Nobel Peace Price winner Norman Borlaug and artist Grant Wood, as well as those who have major connections to Iowa, such as agricultural scientist George Washington Carver.

Most recently, the Iowa Award was given to Intel Corp. co-founder Robert N. Noyce in 2018.

“I'm very honored and very proud to be listed with that very distinguished

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