The Bluegrass Institute's 2012 Liberty Awards ceremony was a rousing success last night at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville.

Among the dignitaries at the stately affair were state congressmen from both sides of the aisle including Joe Bowen, Mike Harmon, Brad Montell, and keynote speaker Brett Guthrie. Also enjoying the festivities were Bluegrass Institute board members Warren Rogers and Dawn Cloyd, the Institute's founder Chris Derry, and Chair Kathy Gornik.

Jim Waters, President of the Bluegrass Institute, hosted the inaugural event and recognized four Liberty Award winners for their inspiring devotion to the Institute's core principles.

Taking home this year's Transparency Award were the tandem of State Auditor Adam Edelen (D) and Agricultural Commissioner James Comer (R) for their truly bipartisan efforts to keep all dealings in the Agricultural Commissioner's office in the public eye.

The Free Market Capitalism Award went to Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, for his efforts to keep pseudoephedrine available to honest citizens.

Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville, took home the Limited Government Award for teaming with AT&T to limit the reach of government in the telecommunications industry.

Finally, the Individual Liberty Award went to the retiring Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, for his career of pushing charter schools and school choice in the commonwealth.

Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners, and to all in attendance for making the inaugural Bluegrass Institute Liberty Awards such a great event.