28-Year Tradition Celebrates Leaders Who Embrace Faith in Public Service
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has been recognized as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Christian Statesman Award, a prestigious honor given to public servants who exemplify the integration of faith and public service. The award, presented at the Museum of the Bible, highlights Sen. Hawley’s commitment to his Christian beliefs and his advocacy for liberty and constitutional values.
‘Faith Is What Holds This Country Together’
“Faith is what holds this country together,” Sen. Hawley remarked in his acceptance speech. “The Left’s attempt to eradicate religion divides America. That’s what’s divisive. Faith actually is a great unifier in our national life.”
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Known for his previous service as Missouri’s Attorney General, Hawley has been a steadfast defender of constitutional principles. He is regarded as one of the nation’s leading constitutional lawyers, standing up for the liberties of everyday Americans. “I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. That means also defending the principles, the ideals, and the realities on which that Constitution is founded. And the witness of the Bible is absolutely foundational to all of that,” he emphasized.
Established in 1996
The Distinguished Christian Statesman Award is an annual tradition established by the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, a Capitol Hill-based ministry connected to Coral Ridge Ministries. Since its inception in 1996, the award has celebrated Christian leaders who demonstrate faith, integrity, and excellence in public office.
“The future of our nation depends on the character and integrity of our leaders,” said Dr. Rob Pacienza, CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries. “We established this award to promote faith, virtue, and excellence in public service.”
Christian Statesmanship
Sen. Hawley joins a notable group of past recipients, including former Missouri Attorney General and U.S. Senator John Ashcroft, who was the first to receive the honor in 1996. Other prominent figures awarded the distinction include Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Tim Scott, and former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
William Russell, Executive Director of the Center for Christian Statesmanship, praised Sen. Hawley’s dedication to his faith and his work. “Hawley is a wonderful representation of what a Christian statesman should be. He has his priorities in line: his faith, his family, and his work. That shows through the work that he’s doing right now on Capitol Hill. But he also is resolute in his beliefs.”
