Jesse Helms

Jesse Alexander Helms (born October 18, 1921) is a former five-term Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina.

Awards and Achievements

• North Carolina Press Association Award for Enterprising Reporting (1941) was awarded to Helms at age 20, making him the youngest reporter, up to that time, to win the award.
• The Annual Freedoms Foundation Award for Television Editorial Judged Best in America (1962)
• The Golden Gavel (1973 & 1974) for presiding over the Senate for 117 hours in 1973 and 120 hours in 1974.
• The Gold Medal of Merit from the Veterans of Foreign Wars
• The North Carolina American Legionaire Award
• Legislator of the Year Award by Christians for a Better America (1980)
• National Man of the Year in Politics by Christian Voice, Inc. (1980)
• North Carolina Public Service Award (1980)
• Most Admired Conservative in Congress by readers of Conservative Digest (1980, 1981, 1982)
• American Security Council Award (1982)
• Conservative Caucus 97th Congress Statesman Award (1983)
• The Golden Eagle Award from the American Federation of Police (1987)
• The "Spirit of Enterprise" Award from the US Chamber of Commerce (1989)
• The Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business
• The Watchdog of the Treasury Award from the National Associated Businessmen (every year since 1973)
• The Taxpayer's Best Friend Award from the National Taxpayers' Union (every year since 1981)
• Former President of the Raleigh Rotary Club
• Former President of the Raleigh Executives Club
• 33rd Degree Freemason, Grand Lodge of Masons of North Carolina (Grand Orator 1965, 1982, 1991)
• Shriner