State Rep. Craig Snow, left and State Sen. Ryan Mishler, right, presented Dave Wolkins with the Sagamore of the Wabash from Gov. Eric Holcomb.

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By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Ernie Wiggins and Dave Wolkins received awards at the Kosciusko County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, May 6.The event was held at The Owl’s Nest.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented Wiggins with the Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award, acknowledging him as “the ultimate public servant” and a community leader. Wiggins previously served as a city councilman, mayor, and county councilman, and the award honors Hoosiers who have demonstrated outstanding community service, exemplary academic achievement, or exceptional leadership in the community. The award describes Wiggins as someone who has shown a devotion to his fellow Hoosiers through community leadership and volunteerism.

Wolkins was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Eric Holcomb. State Rep. Craig Snow and State Sen. Ryan Mishler presented the award on behalf of the governor. During the ceremony, Snow noted that John Elliott had “beat Ryan and I up for a while about nominating somebody for the Sagamore of the Wabash. … Tonight we want to honor someone for that award. This man has served a lot of years in office. He served as a high school teacher for many years. He served on the Winona Lake town council for many years, served as a state legislator for 32 years and he’s been my role model and predecessor. I am honored, along with Ryan, to award him with the Sagamore of the Wabash from our Gov. Eric Holcomb.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, left, presented Ernie Wiggins with the Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award.

Wolkins, who had presented Elliott with the same award in August 2019, was humbled by the recognition. He stated after the banquet, “I had no idea, none whatsoever. It never crossed my mind. We always gave those things to important people, I didn’t figure I’d never have one in my repertoire…total shock, I’m very, very humbled. … John Elliott … before he passed away he had set this up with Ryan and Craig, then he passed away then I went … apparently they were going to do this at one of the chamber meetings I was in Arizona.”

Keynote Speaker

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, who is seeking the seat of U.S. Sen. Mike Braun in 2024, was the keynote speaker at a recent event. “I come from humble beginnings,” said Banks. “When I look back at where we came from, I lived the American dream. I’m worried that the American dream is fleeting in this country. Today, on the other side of the aisle, there are people who cannot even say that America is the greatest country in the world. They won’t say it.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks was keynote speaker

“We’ve gone from a country that inherently believed in equal opportunity for every boy and girl in this country to a Democratic party that believes in equal outcomes, socialism. That is their agenda, to destroy America and turn it into a socialist country. I fought hard in the U.S. House of Representatives against what the Democrats are trying to do to this great country. When you send me to the United States Senate, I will wake up every day and do the same thing and fight for America. I’m sick and tired of ‘go-along-to-get-along’ Republicans who roll over and don’t fight back.

“Indiana is a conservative state, and Indiana deserves conservative fighters fighting for you. When you send me that, that’s what I’m going to do. We need fighters who will fight back.” Banks also talked about China being a big threat to America and how it wants to get America under its thumb. He promised he would work daily to hold China accountable. “They’ve stolen our jobs, wrecked our economy, gave us a pandemic, and now they are flooding this country with fentanyl every day.” He plans to propose a bill to take all unspent COVID money to secure the border.

Banks also noted the number of illegal immigrants flooding the United States, with numbers exceeding the population of the state of Indiana. He also stated that there should be “no more blank checks to Ukraine until we secure our own border.” Budget amendments and appropriations were noted.

Banks strongly felt there should be the defunding of $200 million for the State Department’s gender equity and equality action, $8.12 million on gender advisory programs at the Pentagon, $35 million for a diversity office at the Department of Energy, and one of his biggest concerns is the funding for exclusive housing for transgender illegal immigrants where the staff has to have hormone therapy experience or LGBTQI sensitivity training before being allowed to work in the facility.

U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym

“I say enough is enough. America is worth fighting for. America is worth standing up for. I’ll do everything I can to stop the radical vote agenda teaching my kids that America is not worth fighting and dying for. How many times have we been let down by Republicans who don’t keep their word? I’ve seen it over and over again. You know me. What you get is a track record of seven years of never backing down to the radical left. That’s my commitment. I don’t take this lightly. I’ll fight even harder, bigger platform to fight and do even more than even what I’ve been able to do the last seven years in the House.”

Banks was introduced by U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym, who spoke of his time in the House. Yakym mentioned no more proxy votes, bills completed 72 hours prior to a vote to allow time to review the bills, and more. He also touched on the Chinese Communist Party, which he also feels is the biggest threat in the 21st Century.

Prior to the keynote address, two-minute presentations were heard from two of the gubernatorial candidates — Crouch and Eric Doden — and five candidates for Banks’ Third District seat — John Kenworthy, Marlin Stutsman, Wende Davis, Sen. Andy Zay and Mike Felker.