The Daniel Award is presented annually at the fall banquet in recognition of the extraordinary effort of a public servant in taking a stand for life.

The story of Daniel as recorded in the Old Testament brings to life the courageous stand of a man who followed God’s directives in his role as the king’s counselor and president despite personal consequence.

Daniel would not budge in obeying God as he served a pagan king in his administration – even to the point of death. We need modern-day Daniels in the public policy arena now more than ever.

Among the many critical issues of our time, protecting life is certainly the most important one. Elected officials and public servants have a finite amount of influence and ability to advance the issues about which they are passionate, and they must choose wisely when deciding where to invest their political influence.

The purpose of the Daniel Award for Excellence in Pro-Life Public Policy is to recognize the extraordinary effort of a public servant in taking a stand for life regardless of the political, personal, or professional cost.

The pro-life movement needs heroes. The recipient of this award is truly a hero that encourages us in this fight against the evils threatening the most vulnerable among us as will the many who follow.

2024 Recipient

Dr. Tyler Johnson was born and raised in Grabill, Indiana. He attended Leo High School and the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. After completing his medical training, he and his wife, Alicia, returned to the Fort Wayne area, where he has been an emergency room physician for 15 years. They reside in Leo with their four children. In his free time, Dr. Johnson can be found outside working in the yard or watching his children's many sporting events. 

Dr. Johnson has been a strong advocate for the unborn and for the safety of children both in his medical profession and politically. In 2022, Dr. Johnson's testimony at the state house helped to pass Indiana's abortion ban. He later was named plaintiff in the lawsuit against the FDA to increase regulation on the abortion pill mifepristone, which was heard by the Supreme Court. After being elected in 2022 to represent District 14 in the Indiana State Senate, he authored Senate Bill 480, which prohibits gender transition procedures on minors in Indiana, and authored a resolution that passed out of the Senate, condemning physician-assisted suicide. He enjoys volunteering for Right to Life's Life Defenders Summer Camp, which teaches pro-life topics to teens. 

---

Recipients of the Daniel Award

• 2024- Senator Dr. Tyler Johnson
• 2023- Representative Matt Lehman
  
• 2022- Dr. Christina Francis
• 2021- Senator Travis Holdman
• 2020- Attorney General Curtis T. Hill
• 2019 - Sue Liebel
• 2018 – Senator Liz Brown
• 2017 – Pat Miller
• 2016 – Representative Casey Cox
• 2015 – Amanda Banks
• 2014 – Senator Dennis Kruse
• 2013 – Congressman Marlin Stutzman
• 2012 – President Pro Tempore Senator David Long
• 2011 – Congressman Mike Pence
• 2010 – Commissioner Nelson Peters