Moral courage award is named after Hughes

TAMPA -- A divided Hillsborough County Commission voted today to rename its most prestigious citizen award after the late conservative activist Ralph Hughes.

The award, given annually to a Hillsborough resident who stands up to government for the betterment of the community, will now be called the "Ralph Hughes Moral Courage" award.

The vote was 5-2, with commissioners Rose Ferlita and Mark Sharpe voting no.

Bill Varian, Times staff writer