Order of the Palmetto
Encyclopedia
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina
. It is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance. An auxiliary honor is "The Order of the Silver Crescent." Today it is awarded to persons who make community or professional contributions of local significance.
created the Order of the Palmetto in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service. It was modeled on similar honors bestowed in other states, such as the Kentucky Colonel
and North Carolina's Order of the Longleaf Pine. The presentation is made in the form of a framed plaque.
Over the years, the governors have awarded the honor to South Carolina leaders with a connection to the serving gubernatorial administration. The honor program has been modified. In 1997 Governor David Beasley
established "The Order of the Silver Crescent" to recognize contributions by persons younger than 18.
In 1999 Governor Jim Hodges
created a non-partisan screening panel to review nominations. The eligibility criteria for the "Silver Crescent" was changed to make it an auxiliary award, to be made without restrictions of age.
In 2003, Governor Mark Sanford
created a panel to establish firm criteria for award eligibility. The goal was to change the perception that the order was a political send-off. Currently all nominations are required to be made in writing. Persons who make a contribution that has statewide significance are eligible. Those who make a local community or professional contribution are eligible for the Order of the Silver Crescent. (The name and design of each award is based on prominent features of the state flag.) No sitting legislator up for election is eligible for any award.
Among the awardees of the Order of the Palmetto were the rock band
Hootie and the Blowfish, whom Gov. Jim Hodges
recognized in 1999 for their charity
efforts. Trial lawyer Druanne White
was honored with the award in 2006.
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
. It is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance. An auxiliary honor is "The Order of the Silver Crescent." Today it is awarded to persons who make community or professional contributions of local significance.
History
Gov. John WestJohn C. West
John Carl West was a U.S. Democratic Party politician who served as the 109th Governor of South Carolina from 1971 to 1975. He served as ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1977 to 1981.-Early life:...
created the Order of the Palmetto in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service. It was modeled on similar honors bestowed in other states, such as the Kentucky Colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
and North Carolina's Order of the Longleaf Pine. The presentation is made in the form of a framed plaque.
Over the years, the governors have awarded the honor to South Carolina leaders with a connection to the serving gubernatorial administration. The honor program has been modified. In 1997 Governor David Beasley
David Beasley
David Muldrow Beasley is a Republican who served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999....
established "The Order of the Silver Crescent" to recognize contributions by persons younger than 18.
In 1999 Governor Jim Hodges
Jim Hodges
James Hovis "Jim" Hodges is a Democrat who served one term as the 114th Governor of South Carolina from 1999 until 2003.-Early career:...
created a non-partisan screening panel to review nominations. The eligibility criteria for the "Silver Crescent" was changed to make it an auxiliary award, to be made without restrictions of age.
In 2003, Governor Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician from South Carolina, who was the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011....
created a panel to establish firm criteria for award eligibility. The goal was to change the perception that the order was a political send-off. Currently all nominations are required to be made in writing. Persons who make a contribution that has statewide significance are eligible. Those who make a local community or professional contribution are eligible for the Order of the Silver Crescent. (The name and design of each award is based on prominent features of the state flag.) No sitting legislator up for election is eligible for any award.
Among the awardees of the Order of the Palmetto were the rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Hootie and the Blowfish, whom Gov. Jim Hodges
Jim Hodges
James Hovis "Jim" Hodges is a Democrat who served one term as the 114th Governor of South Carolina from 1999 until 2003.-Early career:...
recognized in 1999 for their charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
efforts. Trial lawyer Druanne White
Druanne White
Druanne White is a trial lawyer in South Carolina. Before that she was a prosecutor for the state for more than 11 years, then was elected to a four-year term as Solicitor for the Tenth Judicial Circuit.-Early life and education:...
was honored with the award in 2006.