Office of Governor of State of Idaho : Former Idaho Governor Phil Batt Named Recipient of 2019 Idaho Medal of Achievement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2019
19:001

CONTACT: Jon Hanian
[phone]

FORMER IDAHO GOVERNOR PHIL BATT NAMED RECIPIENT OF 2019 IDAHO MEDAL OF ACHIEVEMENT

(BOISE) - Governor C. L. 'Butch' Otter presented today, the 2019 Idaho Medal of Achievement, to former Idaho Governor Phil Batt for his many accomplishments and years of service to the state of Idaho.

Batt, who served from 1995 to 1999, as the 29th Governor of Idaho, was presented with the honor by outgoing Governor C. L. 'Butch' Otter, and incoming Governor-elect Brad Little.

'I am absolutely delighted to receive this award,' said Governor Batt. 'It is a great honor to me.'

The award is the highest civilian honor the state of Idaho bestows. In presenting the honor, Governor Otter lauded Governor Batt as a role-model.

'Phil Batt was my mentor,' said Governor Otter. 'His bold, courageous leadership on human rights and so many other issues sets him apart and makes him deserving of our deep appreciation and admiration. Phil is one of those rare leaders who transcends political ideology and brings people together.'

The Idaho Medal of Achievement (IMOA) was created by executive order in November 2015 to recognize individual Idahoans for their 'exceptional, meritorious, and inspirational' service to the people of Idaho. Governor Otter chose to make the announcement and present the award as his last official act, to take place in the Governor's Ceremonial Office, in the Capitol.

Co-presenting the award with Governor Otter was Governor-elect Brad Little. 'Governor Batt is not only a mentor and trusted adviser but also a dear friend,' Little said. 'It is my privilege to co-present him with the Idaho Medal of Achievement, a true testament to his dedication, service and contributions to Idaho and all our citizens.'

The four-member Idaho Medal of Achievement Commission unanimously included Batt as one of the top four candidates submitted to Governor Otter for his final consideration

The Idaho Medal of Achievement is awarded annually to individuals - living or dead - who are nominated by the public. The Medal of Achievement Commission advances the names of no more than five finalists for the Governor's consideration.

'Phil Batt was one of over sixty Idahoans under consideration for the state's most prestigious honor,' said IMOA Commission Chair, former Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice, Linda Copple Trout. 'Governor Batt was instrumental in advancing the cause of human rights in Idaho. He made correcting and improving Idaho's image on human rights his personal mission. Idaho is a better place today as a result of the work he did for all of us.'
Besides Copple Trout, the Medal of Achievement Commission includes, Idaho Business for Education Chairman Skip Oppenheimer, former Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) board member Kirk Sullivan, and the 2017 inaugural recipient of this award, America's First Teacher in Space, Barbara Morgan.

Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla Mining Co. provided the silver for the Idaho Medal of Achievement and is sponsoring the award.

'Hecla Mining Company is honored to be a part of this program by providing the silver for the award recognizing Governor Batt as the third recipient of Idaho Medal of Achievement,' Hecla Chairman and CEO Phillips S. Baker said. 'While it is given to a deserving individual, it represents the quality of all Idahoans.'

Each medallion is made of 99.9-percent fine silver and weighs 19.7 troy ounces and features a relief carving of the Idaho State Capitol on the front and the Idaho State Seal on the back.

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