MT. GAY — It was an early Christmas present for the Southern West Virginia Community College Foundation, Inc. as a gift of $10,000 was delivered this week by Lieutenant Governor and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin following the annual Logan County Chamber of Commerce breakfast held in December at the college.

The donation comes as a result of President Tomblin's recent selection as the 2009 Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award in which he received a $10,000 check to give to his favorite charity.

Senator Tomblin said he believed the money should go to support educational opportunities in southern West Virginia, which is key to a vital work force. He understands the important role of community colleges and workforce development in meeting the training needs of industries across the country.

Southern's President Joanne Jaeger Tomblin expressed her gratitude and announced the college has raised over $7 million during Phase One of the Vision 2020 fundraising campaign. This is a great accomplishment as she celebrates her 10th year as college president.

Senator Tomblin received the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award in July during the 35th Annual National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Philadelphia. President Tomblin is the 23rd recipient of this prestigious award which was founded in 1996.

“Senator Tomblin has a deep loyalty to the legislative institution and exemplifies the highest of legislative leadership that we have in this country,” said NCSL Executive Director William T. Pound. “His personality, coupled with the longevity and variety of his public service, has combined to develop one of the state's foremost political leaders who possesses a great ability to face and overcome the state's continuing financial and economic struggles.”

The William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award is presented annually to a leader who has worked to preserve and build public trust in the institution of the state legislature and whose career embodies the highest principles of leadership—integrity, compassion, vision and courage.

Tomblin served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1974-1978 and then in the Senate from 1980-2004. During that time, he served as the Senate majority whip and chairman and later as president of the Senate. In fact, Tomblin is the longest serving Senate president in West Virginia's history. In addition to be involved in various committee, he has also served on the executive committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

The State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) first honored William M. Bulger, former president of the Massachusetts State Senate, for his distinguished career in public service and particularly for his commitment to protecting and strengthening the institution of the state legislature. That event was the catalyst for the annual Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award.