Rep. Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Award
Rep. Paul Luebke, (D-Durham), passed away October 29, 2016. He participated in most every Annual Legislative Breakfast on Mental Health since elected to serve in the NC General Assembly over 25 years ago. He was a true champion of mental health reform and had a heart to assist vulnerable and under-served populations. His energy, commitment, leadership and sense of humor are sorely missed. In his memory, the Legislative Breakfast on Mental Health Planning Committee members have created the “Rep. Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Award.” The award is presented annually to a member of the NC General Assembly recognized for their outstanding leadership and demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for individuals living with mental illness.
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Verla Insko
Lifetime Achievement Award- Representative Verla Insko
North Carolina House of Representatives District 56: Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County
Her primary area of focus in the General Assembly is Health and Human Services, emphasizing mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use. She is noted for her progressive policy positions, believing in “an activist government that provides for the common good and protects the vulnerable.”
Rep. Insko says her proudest accomplishments are her work on early childhood education and mental health reform – where there’s still plenty more work to be done. During her remaining time in office, Insko wants to continue to advocate for Medicaid expansion.
2023 The Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Winner, Mike Woodard
Representative Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on
Mental Health Award- Senator Mike Woodard
North Carolina State Senate District 22: Durham, Granville, and Person counties
Before joining the General Assembly in 2013, Senator Woodard served on the Durham City Council for seven years.
Senator Woodard currently serves on the Health Care, Finance, Budget, Transportation, and Agriculture & Environment committees. He is co-chair of the Life Sciences Caucus and of the Arts Caucus, as well as an active member of the Agriculture-Rural Caucus. A tenth-generation North Carolinian and a native of Wilson, he graduated from Duke with degrees in economics, political science, and non-profit management.
Senator Woodard has been active in community affairs for more than 30 years, including leadership roles with the North Carolina Jaycees, his church, and a variety of local and regional groups.
He is married to the Reverend Sarah Woodard, an ordained minister serving St. Titus’ Episcopal Church and as a hospital chaplain. In his free time, Senator Woodard serves as a tutor at C.C. Spaulding Elementary School and enjoys bicycling, hiking, watching sports, reading, and attending arts events.
2022 The Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Winner, Jim Burgin
Representative Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on
Mental Health Award- Senator Jim Burgin
North Carolina Senate District 12: Harnett, Johnston and Lee Counties
Senator Burgin has served on the Senate Appropriations Health and Human Services Committee since 2019. He is currently the co-chair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services. Additionally, Senator Burgin serves on the Pensions, Retirement and Aging Committee, the Senate Transportation
Committee, and the Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committe
2021 The Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Winner, Carla Cunningham
Representative Carla Cunningham is being honored with the Representative Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Award. She carries on the focus and commitment of Rep. Paul Luebke, in her dedication to address the inequalities that continue, and perhaps are even more evident today, as North Carolina and the nation face the Perfect Storm of the Pandemic, Racial Inequality and Social Injustice.
We honor Rep. Cunningham for her past achievements but most importantly for her ongoing and forward-thinking work in the North Carolina Legislature as current mental health needs escalate because of increased social isolation and economic stress.
And we commend her advocacy to insure our most vulnerable community members receive safe and appropriate assessment and treatment, as well as supportive services to enable independent living and employment.
2020 Representative Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Award
We are pleased to announce that Representative Josh Dobson is the recipient of the 2020 Representative Paul Luebke Legislative Champion on Mental Health Award.
Representative Dobson has been a member of the North Carolina General Assembly State Legislature since 2013 representing District 85, comprised of McDowell, Mitchell and Avery counties. Serving as chairman of both the Health Policy Committee and the Appropriations Committee, he has worked “diligently to find consensus while producing conservative, common sense solutions.”
According to those who have worked with him, if you want anything done related to healthcare at the General Assembly, look to Representative Dobson. He has been a key advocate for improving and expanding behavioral health services including revisions to licensure protocols for service providers. He is known for not backing down when things needed to get done and has worked across the aisle to help build consensus among legislative groups.
In appreciation for his tireless advocacy, Representative Josh Dobson is being recognized as a true champion for behavioral health care in North Carolina.
