STATEHOUSE – State Representative Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) was awarded with a Sagamore of the Wabash on Wednesday by Governor Mike Pence. The award is the highest honor the Governor of Indiana can bestow and is presented to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state. “I truly was not expecting this,” said Rep. Neese. “I am humbled to receive this honor. I have gotten the chance to meet so many great Hoosiers, and I am confident that the positive impact they have had on me is just as great as the positive impact I have had on them. I will look back at my time in the Indiana Legislature as some of the greatest days of my life. The pleasure was truly all mine.” Rep. Neese received this prestigious award for his service to the Indiana House of Representatives and his long-time commitment to improving the lives of those he served. He was first elected to the state Legislature in 2002 and has served as the Chairman of the Local Government Committee and a member of the Utilities & Energy Committee, the Environmental Affairs Committee and the Statutory Committee on Interstate and International Cooperation. During his first term in office, Rep. Neese co-authored legislation which banned smoking on school busses. Rep. Neese aimed to improve the quality of life for children in his district and beyond. More recently, he co-authored legislation creating the “In God We Trust” license plate. This legislation specified that the plate would not be a special group recognition plate and therefore is not subject to additional fees. He also authored a law to provide a cost of living adjustment to retired teachers and public workers. “Representative Timothy Neese is a hardworking legislator who demonstrates perseverance and commitment to bettering the lives of Hoosiers,” said Governor Pence. “It is a privilege to present him with Indiana’s highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash.” When the General Assembly is not in session, he remains active in his community by volunteering at his church and offering his annual “Kick-A-Can” program. This program offers low-income citizens assistance in exterior home improvement and is funded through profits from a year round recycling project, individual financial contributions and paint contributions from area businesses. Rep. Neese has offered this program for the last 26 years. “As a public servant, you don’t come to work each day hoping that at the end of your term, you will be recognized for the decisions that you have made,” said Rep. Neese. “It is true that over the last 12 years, I have had to make a lot of difficult decisions, but every decision that I made was done with the best interest of my constituents and the state of Indiana in mind. It has truly been honor to serve.” Before being elected state representative, Rep. Neese was a four-term member of the Elkhart City Council. He also served as a senior assistant to former Indiana Secretary of State Ed Simcox. In addition to his legislative duties, he currently serves as the Director of the Solid Waste Management of Elkhart County. Rep. Neese’s term as state representative for House District 48 will end in November. -30- |
