Former Gov. Paul Patton, right, presented Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, D-Prestonsburg, the Paul Patton Education Advocacy Award.

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FRANKFORT – Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Johnny Ray Turner, D-Prestonsburg, last week received the second annual Paul Patton Education Advocacy Award from the Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative (KVEC) Board of Directors.

Turner was honored for his efforts on behalf of public education in the Eastern Kentucky region while serving in the General Assembly.

“As an educator for 28 years, education has always been a top priority while serving in Frankfort,” said Turner, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “It is an honor to be recognized for the work that I do, but I don’t do it for the recognition, I do it because education needs a champion. The education of our children is important for our future and it is our teachers who impact them with knowledge.”

A retired educator, Turner has sponsored successful legislation to give fair treatment to teachers and other school personnel for the time they work.

“Sen. Turner’s experience as an educator and his ongoing commitment to improving opportunities for students across the region and the state contribute to making him a powerful advocate for education,” said Jeff Hawkins, KVEC Executive Director. “We are proud that Sen. Turner is this year’s recipient of the Patton Education Advocacy Award. His tireless efforts on behalf of students are recognized across the region and across the state.”

KVEC’s mission is to cause and support educational progress by fostering: visionary leadership; positive systemic change; effective communication; cooperation innovation, and shared responsibility.

Turner currently serves on the following Education, Natural Resources and Energy, Transportation, State and Local Government and Rules committees, and the Committee on Committees. He also serves on the Energy Special Subcommittee. As a member of Senate leadership, he holds a seat on the Legislative Research Commission.