VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State University’s Public Administration Advisory Committee named Rep. Richard Royal, R-Camilla, as the 2007 recipient of the Loyce W. Turner Award for Public Service at a luncheon ceremony held in his honor Tuesday.
The PAAC credits Royal with being a role model for public sector professionals, exemplifying the Jeffersonian ideal of an ethical, committed and effective public official, much like Loyce W. Turner had. Nolan J. Argyle, coordinator of the Master’s of Public Administration program at VSU, said Royal was chosen because his “record of dedicated and distinguished public service provides inspiration for all who work in the public and non-governmental sectors.”
“I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with Rep. Royal for many years on various issues before the General Assembly,” Valdosta City Manager Larry Hanson said. “He has always impressed me as one of our state’s finest elected officials and a person of real integrity. From my experiences with him, he has consistently put the people of Georgia first and has always put policy above politics. He is a most deserving recipient.”
Former Rep. Ron Borders introduced Royal, and 2006 award recipient Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons, along with Loyce Turner, presented Royal the award.
Royal stated that the true honor was receiving an award for public service bearing the name of Loyce W. Turner, with whom he had worked for more than 14 years.
A graduate of Mitchell County High School and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Royal has extensive experience in public service at both local and state levels. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1983, Royal represents Mitchell and Colquitt counties serving as chairman on the Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee and also a member of the Appropriations Committee, National Resources Committee and Ways and Means Committee, where he also serves as chairman of the Property Tax Sub-committee. Royal was also appointed by the governor to the Fiscal Affairs Committee and to the Tobacco Advisory Committee by the speaker of the house.
Royal has sponsored major legislation that has improved Georgia’s government, particularly in the area of tax legislation. His service on these various committees has been critical for the state, according to the PAAC. Royal was the first recipient of the Presidential Citation from Georgia Tech and has received multiple awards and honors for leadership from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.
Married with five children and nine grandchildren, Royal is a business consultant to the petroleum industry. All five of Royal’s children are graduates of VSU.
Also at the luncheon, the PAAC awarded the Hugh C. Bailey Outstanding Graduate Student Awards to students currently in the MPA program. Katherine Pelletier, who is currently working toward her degree with an emphasis in Public Sector Management, was given the award representing the Moody Air Force Base Campus. Pelletier is also a captain with the U.S. Air Force and will be graduating from the program this semester. Students representing the King’s Bay Campus and the online program were not able to attend the ceremony.
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Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons (left), 2006 recipient, presents the Loyce W. Turner Public Service Award to State Rep. Richard Royal, R-Camilla, on Tuesday at Valdosta State University. Also pictured is former State Sen. Loyce W. Turner.
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Royal honored
State representative receives Loyce W. Turner Award at luncheon
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