jbulger@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - The cowlick couldn't quite be contained, but the 8-year-old was otherwise every bit as debonair as the U.S. senator who was bestowing an honor upon him.

Conner Magnuson received the Spirit of Idaho Award Thursday afternoon from Sen. Mike Crapo as the boy's family and Holy Spirit Catholic School classmates looked on.

"I think everyone here knows what a special thing Conner did," Crapo said. "This just shows you when you do something really neat, people pay attention."

The "special thing" Crapo was referring to was Conner's idea to turn his seventh birthday into a gift-giving event for troops in Iraq who served with two Pocatello natives who were killed in combat, Sgt. Blake Stephens and Sgt. Nick Gummersall.

The December 2007 event resulted in a mound of presents for the troops, donated by Conner's friends who attended. The gift givers brought items culled from "Saul's List," an inventory of requested items compiled by Pfc. Saul Martinez, who lost both of his legs in the blast that claimed the life of Sgt. Stephens.

"What an incredible thing for a young man of your age to show that kind of maturity and to help make Idaho a better place," Crapo said.

Crapo gave Conner a certificate and a flag that had been flown over the Capitol in Washington. He also gave Conner a chance to make a statement of his own, which Conner declined, perhaps to hurry the ceremony along and get to the cake.

Conner gave the senator a firm handshake, signaling the end of the ceremony. The boy quickly sidled up to his 4-year-old brother, Braden, and then received a large slice of cake. His proud parents, Rick and Molly Magnuson, looked on.

"He's been excited for weeks, practicing his handshake," Rick said.

As Conner focused on his cake, various adults offered him their kudos. Given a compliment for sporting a suit sharper than a senator's, one of Conner's pals looked - well, suitably impressed.

"You're better than a senator, dude," he said.