Kerr receives Long Leaf Pine award
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on March 18, 2009 1:46 PM
Former state Sen. John H. Kerr III of Goldsboro received the Order of Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor, and a plaque of appreciation from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center during a recognition ceremony Feb. 25 at the Rural Center.
State Sen. R.C. Soles presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on behalf of Gov. Beverly Perdue. State Sen. Charlie Albertson also was in attendance.
Kerr retired last year after serving more than two decades in the N.C. General Assembly -- three terms in the House and eight in the Senate -- but his contributions will be felt for decades.
Rural Center President Billy Ray Hall cited Kerr's leadership in providing financial assistance on water and sewer projects for struggling communities across the state.
Kerr led the fight in the Senate for the 1998 Clean Water Bonds and for creation of the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program, and he has been a consistent advocate for the creation of a dedicated source of funding for water and sewer construction, Hall said.