Catholic former Iowa governor to be awarded state’s highest citizen honor

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced she will soon award former Iowa governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, a Catholic, the state’s highest citizen honor for his years of service to his state and country.

According to a Nov. 24 news release from Reynolds’ office, the Iowa Award is given to Iowans who demonstrate “outstanding service” in fields such as science, medicine, law, religion, and government. The award serves to recognize the “merit of their accomplishments in Iowa and throughout the United States.”

“No one is more deserving of this honor than Terry Branstad, a native son who grew up here, was educated here, farmed here, and spent his life serving his fellow Iowans and Americans here and abroad,” Reynolds, a Republican, stated in the release. 

Before taking office as governor, Branstad, also a Republican, served Iowa as a state legislator and lieutenant governor. He was Iowa’s governor for six terms, first from 1983 to 1999 and again from 2011 to 2017, making him the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, according to the Branstad Churchill Group. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2020.

Branstad, a Catholic convert, has championed conservative causes during his time in public service, including supporting religious freedom, protecting life, and upholding the dignity and sanctity of marriage. 

Reynolds said that Branstad’s “commitment to public service is both selfless and unrivaled.”

“He truly embodies the Iowa Award, and I look forward to honoring him next month,” she added.

According to the release, Reynolds will present Branstad with the award in a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol Dec. 11.