Governor Jack Markell will honor former Delaware Secretary of State Edward J. Freel with the Governor’s Heritage Award in a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Delaware Public Archives.

Established in 2003 by the Office of the Secretary of State, the Governor’s Heritage Award is given periodically to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the recognition, preservation, and celebration of Delaware’s heritage.

Among his many positions of public service in Delaware over the course of his career,  Freel served as secretary of state from 1994 through 2001. He also serves as an instructor in the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, where he also manages The Democracy Project, a program for teachers and policy leaders that fosters discussion about civic participation and ways to inspire active youth citizenship.