Governor Stein presents The Order of the Long Leaf Pine honors to Triad residents
Governor Stein presents The Order of the Long Leaf Pine honors to Triad residents
Gov. Josh Stein visited Greensboro to present The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award to more than a dozen Triad residents, celebrating their contributions to public service and the progress they have fostered in their communities.
“We value them, we appreciate them, and we honor them with this award,” Stein said.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an award with a history spanning over 60 years, is given annually to a select group of individuals across North Carolina for their years and careers of public service.
“There are so many talented people in North Carolina, serving other people, and that’s what we should all do,” Stein said.
The honorees included teachers, health care workers, politicians, and law enforcement officers, among others.
“From the past 25 years as mayor and before, this feels good," honoree and Winston-Salem mayor Alan Joines said, "Because what we’re doing is good for the city.”
Stein noted that honoring individuals from the Triad also highlights the region’s growth.
“We have the mayor of Winston-Salem, that’s recruited and worked with businesses to bring great jobs, but then we had educators who are committed to teaching our children,” Stein said.
Among the honorees was Bishop Larry Brown, who led efforts to have Taylortown recognized as an official municipality.
“It was a struggle, but the Lord brought us through it, and we are grateful to be here today,” Brown said. “Not only for me but for the town of Taylortown, where we have worked so hard to become a municipality.”
Brown said what made it better was his friends and family who came to support him.
“And I appreciate it, everyone who has come here today,” Brown said.
While most recipients are not celebrities, notable past honorees of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine include Maya Angelou, Dale Earnhardt, and Michael Jordan.