INDIANAPOLIS – Last Thursday, December 7, 2006, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels named Auditor of State Connie Nass a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor the Governor can bestow. Governor Daniels has made an effort to restore value to the award, naming far fewer than his recent predecessors.

“I’ve really tried to make sure that this honor is only given to those who are truly deserving. No one is more deserving, Connie, and I am only too happy to present this to you,” remarked the governor.

The award was presented privately in the Auditor’s State House office with a public reception following in the South Atrium that was attended by over two hundred people. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson issued a proclamation declaring December 7, 2006 “Connie Nass Day”.
Letters of congratulations were also read from Senator Richard Lugar, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, and Pennsylvania Commonwealth Comptroller Harvey C. Eckert.

At the end of December, Auditor Nass will complete her second consecutive term as Auditor of State. The Indiana Constitution precludes anyone from serving more than 8 consecutive years as State Auditor.

The Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during the term of Governor Ralph Gates, who served from 1945 to 1949. The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice.