Nominees Sought for Moral Courage Award

Winners of the Hillsborough County Moral Courage Award are those citizens who have stood up to government, rejected the status quo, and challenged decisions for the betterment of the county and its citizens, according to a Hillsborough County press release.

If you know someone who has courageously fought for the principle of right and wrong, nominate him or her for the county’s 2011 Moral Courage Award. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Aug. 15, at 5 p.m.  The nomination form for the 2011 Moral Courage Award is available at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc, click on “Special Awards”, then click on “Moral Courage Award”.

Nominations should be submitted in one of three ways:·        

E-mail:  jenkinsad@hillsboroughcounty.org·        

Fax:  813-276-8495·        

Mail:  Hillsborough County Communications Department, Re: Moral Courage Award, P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL  33601. 

Anyone may submit a nomination. All Hillsborough County residents – individuals and groups – are eligible to receive the award. The Hillsborough County Citizens Advisory Committee will review nominations at its meeting on Aug. 26, and may recommend a finalist to the Hillsborough County Commission.

Nominees are welcome to appear and speak on their behalf during public comment at the beginning of the meeting.

The nomination will then be considered by the county commission in September.

Commissioners created the Moral Courage Award in 1992 to recognize individuals and groups who have courageously challenged government actions for the good of the county and its residents, and demonstrated the willingness to take a moral or ethical stand against decisions of government. Past award recipients include a staunch Sun City Center resident advocate, a local government whistleblower and civic groups that spearheaded efforts to clean up landfills, fought the installation of giant power poles in their neighborhood, and started an affordable housing program.

For the complete list of past award recipients, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc, then click on “Special Awards."