Louisiana Governor Given The Harry S. Truman Award by National Guard Association of the United States

Baton Rouge, Louisiana. – On July 21, 2022, the Office of the Louisiana Governor announced that on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the National Guard Association of the United States named Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards the recipient of the 2022 Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense, which is the group’s highest recognition.

Louisiana Governor Edwards was chosen for his consistent leadership and support of LANG, as well as his numerous accomplishments, such as leading Louisiana’s effort to pioneer groundbreaking methods for its cyber security response plans and methods. The Louisiana National Guard was heavily involved in those plans as part of a combined approach that used all available state assets to respond. Louisiana Governor Edwards established the Louisiana Cybersecurity Commission through executive action in 2017.

In response to ransomware attacks on state assets, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency in 2019. This was Louisiana’s first declared emergency for cyber response. President Biden appointed Governor Edwards to the bipartisan Council of Governors as one of ten governors. In 2022, Governor Edwards met with the council and its working groups to identify priority initiatives, along with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Secretary of Homeland Security, White House Executives, and other federal and state officials.

Through his leadership and initiative, Louisiana Governor Edwards has demonstrated that he understands the threat that malicious cyber activity poses to our national defense and overall security in the United States. As evidenced by his leadership and direct actions at the state and national levels, he has made sustained and far-reaching contributions to countering this threat.

“One of the biggest honors of my life is serving as the Commander in Chief of Louisiana’s National Guard, which never wavers when asked to work through floods, hurricanes, freezing weather, cyberattacks and even a pandemic to protect what matters in Louisiana – our people. And they do all of this while performing their traditional military training and worldwide operations. Here and elsewhere, the National Guard protects and serves our homeland in ways that the public often overlooks or takes for granted. Regardless, the National Guard always shows up, and to be recognized by the National Guard Association of the United States with its highest honor, the Harry S. Truman Award, is truly humbling,” Gov. Edwards said. “I believe that all of us can take a lesson from the National Guard’s selfless commitment to the greater good, to our communities and to our national security. I will continue to work day in and day out to be worthy of such an honor.”

“Governor Edwards is a deserving selection for this prestigious award because of his lifelong dedication and distinguished service to the security and defense of Louisiana and our great nation,” said Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard.

The Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense, established by the NGAUS Board of Directors in 1968, is the highest honor bestowed by the Association on an individual. President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, members of Congress, other governors, and entertainer Bob Hope have all won the award. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and far-reaching contributions to the defense and security of the United States that are worthy of national recognition.

The Governor is being honored alongside Gen. James McConville, the United States Army’s chief of staff. The awards will be given out at the 144th NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition in Columbus, Ohio, in August.

Follow this link for a list of this year’s honorees.