Former Gov. Terry Branstad, who holds the record as the longest serving governor in U.S. history, received Iowa’s highest citizen award Thursday.
Branstad is the 26th person to receive the Iowa Award. Past recipients include former President Herbert Hoover, Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, scientist and inventor George Washington Carver and former Gov. Robert D. Ray. The award was created to “encourage and recognize the outstanding service of Iowans in the fields of science, medicine, law, religion, social welfare, education, agriculture, industry, government and other public service.”
Branstad was recognized for decades of public service, stretching from his time as a state representative, governor and ambassador to China to later positions leading other Iowa institutions…