(Greensburg, Ind.) – A retiring Indiana state representative has received one of Indiana’s most prestigious awards.

State Rep. Cleo Duncan

District 67 Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) was given the Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Gov. Mitch Daniels on Oct. 5 for her 16 years in the Indiana House of Representatives.

The Sagamore of the Wabash honors outstanding Hoosiers. Indiana Governor Ralph Gates, who served in office from 1945 to 1949 created the award after being named himself a Kentucky Colonel.

"I have had such a wonderful experience serving our community and the state. I want to thank Gov. Daniels, again, for honoring me with this award,” Duncan told the Greensburg Daily News.

"I have served House District 67 the best way I knew how, and just because I will no longer be an elected official doesn’t mean I plan to stop serving my community. We have such a great district here and I plan to continue, in one way or another, making it better."

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (IN-6) joined the governor in congratulating Duncan.

“It is my honor to congratulate you on receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash Award for your 16 years of outstanding service in the Indiana General Assembly. I can think of no one else who deserves this award more than you. You have been a true servant to eastern Indiana, and for that I thank you,” said Pence.

Other Sagamore of the Wabash recipients over the years include David Letterman, John Wooden, Garfield cartoon strip creator Jim Davis, John Mellencamp, Oscar Robinson, Kurt Vonnegut, and Bobby Knight.