Terry Branstad — the nation’s longest serving governor — is the 26th recipient of the state’s highest citizen honor. Governor Kim Reynolds presented Branstad with the “Iowa Award” medal Thursday during a ceremony in the Iowa Capitol’s rotunda.
Branstad, who is 79, was a member of the Iowa House and served one term as lieutenant governor before he was elected governor in 1982. He served more than 22 years as governor — and left office in 2017 after President Trump appointed him U-S Ambassador to China.
Branstad paid tribute to his family and influential teachers in his hometown as well as legislators and state employees who served during his five-and-a-half terms as governor.
Governor Reynolds, who Branstad chose as his lieutenant governor when he returned to office in 2011, has arranged for a 36-mile section of Highway 9 to be named in Branstad’s honor.
Getting rid of the curbs and gutters on Highway 9 — which was only 18 feet wide — was an issue in Branstad’s first campaign for office in 1972.
The DOT will be installing signs saying the 36-mile portion of Highway 9 is “Dedicated to Governor Terry Branstad”. Reynolds says the signs should be posted by Christmas.
