Bone recognized with state's top award

bniolet — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0400

Lobbyist Roger Bone was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine at a breakfast Wednesday.

The award is the highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen.

Bone, a former legislator who is consistently ranks as one of the state's top lobbyists, was recently diagnosed with cancer.

U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge of Lillington, who roomed with Bone at the Brownstone Hotel when they were legislators, reminisced in a letter about the old days.

"Those were great times and I was lucky to have you as a roommate and as a friend," Etheridge wrote.

What is the Order of the Long Leaf Pine?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:37:19 -0400

Answer:

The highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen.

Created in 1965, the award is given to residents in recognition of a proven record of service or some other special achievement. The recipient receives a certificate and the privilege of proposing, at any time, the North Carolina Toast:

Here's to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here's to "down home," the Old North State!

Past recipients include such famous Tar Heels as Maya Angelou, Billy Graham and Michael Jordan.

The governor also gives out The Old North State Award for North Carolinians with a record of service, a certificate of appreciation for long-serving state employees and volunteers, a Laurel Wreath Award for athletes and an Honorary Tar Heel award for non-residents.