State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad and State Senator Dan Dawson were recognized as the 2024 recipients of the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award by the Hoover Presidential Foundation. The Foundation created the annual award to be presented to one member of the Iowa House and Iowa Senate who demonstrates uncommon service to the people of Iowa above and beyond their legislative duties.

Representative Bobby Kaufmann, the 2023 House recipient, announced the award recipient to members of the House at the opening of the day’s session. Representative Ako Abdul-Samad has a long history of service to those in his community. His organization, Creative Visions, has provided valuable services for at-risk youths, family stability, community empowerment, and a food pantry for those in need. When his only son was shot, he forgave the shooter, providing him with refuge and support, which led him to a better life and family today. An uncommon act in the face of tragedy.

In his acceptance remarks, Representative Abdul-Samad said, “I accept this on behalf of all of you, my mother, my sister, and my son. We all deserve this because of the work that we do.”

In the Iowa State Senate, Senator Amy Sinclair, the 2023 Senate recipient, announced the award recipient to members of the Senate. Senator Dawson has served both the people of Iowa and our country here and abroad. He is a current member of the National Guard, with whom he has been deployed four times to conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo and currently holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer #4. He also currently serves as an agent with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, where he investigates major crimes. Such service comes with great personal risk.

In his acceptance remarks, Senator Dawson said, “I come here, and we have some good days and some bad days. But the good days make up for anything else. It’s the people you meet and the ability to impact Iowa to make the difference to everyone we meet on the way here.”

President Hoover said in his 1948 to students at Wilmington College in an address that would be known as his “Uncommon Man” speech, “Let us remember that the great human advances have not been brought about by mediocre men and women. They were brought about by distinctly uncommon men and women with vital sparks of leadership.” This has served as the basis for recognition awarded by the Hoover Presidential Foundation.

Both legislators will be honored at the Foundation’s annual Celebration Banquet this fall.

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