COEUR d'ALENE - Former Republican Sen. John Goedde was one of the first recipients of a new Abraham Lincoln award at the Ada County Lincoln Day banquet last week.

"They gave me a very nice award and I am very pleased with it," Goedde said.

According to a press release from the Ada County Lincoln Day Association, the first-ever award is designed to recognize Idaho legislators who demonstrate leadership qualities in the spirit of Abraham Lincoln while serving in the Idaho Legislature.

Goedde and former Rep. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell, received the award during the 104th Ada County Lincoln Day banquet held at the Boise Centre during last week's annual celebration of Abraham Lincoln.

"These fine individuals demonstrate many of the outstanding leadership qualities of President Lincoln in their daily lives and careers," said Ada County Lincoln Day Association President Patricia Kempthorne. "I am pleased that as an association we took the time to honor them for their dedication, tireless efforts, and honorable work on behalf of Idahoans. We will continue this new tradition to recognize individuals who conduct themselves in a manner Mr. Lincoln would be proud of and set an example for others."

Goedde said the award was a complete surprise.

"I was so stunned I didn't even hear what Mark Davis said when he gave me the award," Goedde said. "I wish I could tell you more but I can't."

He said he was pleased to see Bolz was also honored with the award.

"Darrell and I were freshmen together," Goedde said, adding Bolz has since retired from the Legislature.

Goedde said he is a Lincoln fan. One of his favorite books is "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," by Doris Kearns Goodwin.