A longtime state legislator was recognized by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU yesterday.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) was given the Ralph Dunn Public Service Award.

Luechtefeld said his time as a State Senator has been “a very interesting and truly rewarding experience.”

Prior to his legislative career, Luechtefeld was a basketball coach at Okawville High School for 38 years.