DARLINGTON, S.C. – The veteran chairman of Dixies Federal Credit Union and a former CUNA director, B. Edward Hursey, has received the "Order of the Palmetto" the highest civic honor in South Carolina. In a presentation arranged by Governor Mark Sanford, the 77-year-old Hursey was bestowed the award at ceremonies March 5 during the CU's annual meeting. Apart from his service to CUs, Hursey was cited by the South Carolina governor as a "role model" for civic leadership in such areas as education and help for the handicapped and for his "lifelong commitment to his family, faith and his country." The Dixies chairman, who after a 40-year-career retired in 1992 from the manufacturer of the paper products firm which produced the well-known "Dixie" cup brand, served four terms as League president starting in 1968. From 1960-1983, he was a League director, considered the longest term in the history of the trade group. In addition to organizing the Pee Dee Chapter here and service on the CUNA Board, he also was South Carolina Director of the Legislative Forum and in 1997 a director of the National Association of Retired Credit Union People. He is a past president of the South Carolina School Board Association and chairman for eight years of the Darlington County Board of Education and a director from 1971-83. He served on numerous boards for handicapped groups in the state including the South Carolina Organization for Hearing Impaired where he was vice president and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. He also was a member of former Governor Dick Riley's Task Force on Citizen Participation in Education. Born in Darlington, he is a former Sunday school superintendent and has been director of many civic groups ranging from the Lions Club where he was "Lion of the Year" and a past president as well as being named the Jaycees' Humanitarian of the Year. In recommending Hursey for the "Order of the Palmetto," Stephen R. Fowler, executive vice president of the League, lauded the Dixies executive for his "tireless commitment" to his community and for "sharing his time and talents to improve the lives of others." "It's been a great ride for me, and I can only be thankful to the Lord and my wife for pulling me through," declared Hursey who recalled his years of rehabilitation after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 1982. The former human resources manager at Dixie Products, later American Can Corp., said he is particularly proud "of my 50 years as a volunteer in the credit union movement" culminating in his job with the League and with Dixies FCU. [email protected]