The Golden Fleece Award (1975–1988) was a tongue-in-cheek award given to public officials in the United States for squandering public money. Its name is sardonically taken from the actual Order of the Golden Fleece, a prestigious chivalric award created in the late 15th century. It is a play on the transitive verb fleece, or charging excessively for goods or services.
United States Senator William Proxmire, Democrat from Wisconsin, began to issue the Golden Fleece Award in 1975 in monthly press releases.[1][2] In 1988, The Washington Post referred to the award as "the most successful public relations device in politics today".[3] Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, referred to the award as being "as much a part of the Senate as quorum calls and filibusters".[1]
- ^ a b Severo, Richard (December 16, 2005). "William Proxmire, Maverick Democratic Senator From Wisconsin, Is Dead at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
toledowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Mills, Mike (October 16, 1988). "Guardian dragon will doze: 'Golden Fleece' award is about to go into the attic". Toledo Blade. p. B2. Retrieved November 17, 2018.