Lane honored at Lincoln Dinner
Greencastle resident Barbara Lane was honored in a big way Saturday night for her many volunteer pursuits in Putnam County.
Sen. Connie Lawson presented Lane with the Sagamore of the Wabash award Saturday during the Putnam County GOP's Lincoln Day dinner.
Lane helped create the Humane Society of Putnam County, was one of the original founders of the Putnam County Community Foundation, co-founded the Greencastle Civic League was the former director of Mental Health America and has served on many town boards.
In addition, Lane was honored as the 2008 Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year along with other awards.
"It was an honor," she said about receiving the award.
The history behind the Sagamore of the Wabash dates back to the term of Indiana Governor Ralph F. Gates, who served from 1945 to 1949.
Gates was to attend a tri-state meeting where officials from Ohio and Kentucky would be present. Aides to Gates learned the governor of Kentucky was preparing Kentucky Colonel certificates for Gates and Sen. Robert A. Taft (Ohio). The Hoosiers decided Indiana should have an appropriate award to present in return -- Sagamore of the Wabash.
It is the highest honor bestowed by the governor of Indiana. The Sagamore is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor.
Astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage have received this award.
The Putnam County GOP Lincoln Day dinner did not end with Lane receiving the highly regarded Sagamore award. Minority Leader Brian Bosma spoke to the crowd.
Following dinner, Bosma posed a question to the group. He asked, "Who are you? And why are you here?"
Bosma said he was there because he was concerned about the future. Advances have been made in the state, but it needs pushed further and faster, he continued.
Over the past several years, Bosma said he and his House Republican colleagues have driven Indiana further and faster than ever before.
Rep. Bosma was first elected in 1986 to represent House District 88, which today encompasses the northeast portion of Marion County and parts of southern Hamilton County.
He rose quickly through the leadership ranks of the Republican Caucus. Bosma was selected as Republican floor leader in 1994 and Republican leader in 2000. He was then selected as Speaker of the House in 2004 and again four years later.
In his private life, Bosma is a partner with the law firm of Kroger, Gardis, and Regas, focusing his practice in the areas of local government and environmental law.
He was a founding director of Bosma Industries for the Blind, Inc., which today employs more than 85 blind and visually impaired Hoosiers in central Indiana.
He is a graduate of Purdue University's School of Engineering (1981) and the Indiana University School of Law (1984).