Blue ribbons are typically a symbol of high quality. The association comes from The Blue Riband , a prize awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by passenger liners and, prior to that from Cordon Bleu , which referred to the blue ribbon worn by the French knightly Order of the Holy Spirit . The spelling " blue riband" is still encountered in most English-speaking countries, but in the United States, the term was altered to blue ribbon , and ribbons of this color came to be awarded for first place in certain athletic or other competitive endeavors (such as county and state fairs ).
7-405: It has also been applied to distinguished members of a group or commission who have convened to address a situation or problem; in these cases, the usual usage is "blue ribbon commission" or " blue-ribbon panel ". In some fair competitions in the U.S., particularly 4-H and FFA livestock and horticultural events, blue ribbons may be awarded to any project or exhibit which meets or exceeds all of
14-473: A competition's judging criteria. In Canada, New Zealand and Great Britain, blue ribbons are awarded to second place, with red ribbons awarded to first. The project may not necessarily be the first-place finisher, however. In such cases, a purple ribbon may be given to the champion and the second-place (or reserve) champion. Blue ribbons have also been used as awareness ribbons for numerous different causes. Notable examples: Blue-ribbon panel In
21-432: Is often appointed by a government body or executive to report on a matter of controversy . It might be composed of independent scientific experts or academics with no direct government ties to study a particular issue or question, or it might be composed of citizens well known for their general intelligence, experience and non-partisan interests to study a matter of political reform. The " blue-ribbon " aspect comes from
28-596: The United States , a blue-ribbon committee (or panel or commission ) is a group of exceptional people appointed to investigate, study or analyze a given question. Blue-ribbon committees generally have a degree of independence from political influence or other authority, and such committees usually have no direct authority of their own. Their value comes from their ability to use their expertise to issue findings or recommendations which can then be used by those with decision-making power to act. A blue-ribbon committee
35-793: The United States would be the Warren Commission investigating the Kennedy Assassination , the 9/11 Commission investigating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Iraq Study Group assessing the Iraq War and the Clinton Administration 's White House Task Force on National Health Care Reform. In each case, the committee did not have authority to indict or legislate , and their brief
42-477: The presentation of the committee as the "best and brightest" for the task; the appointment of such a committee, ad hoc , is meant to signal its perspective as outsiders of the usual process for study and decisions. The designation "blue-ribbon" is often made by the appointing authority, and may be disputed by others who might see the committee as less independent, or as a way for an authority to dodge responsibility. Examples of high-level blue-ribbon committees in
49-481: Was to investigate and issue a report on the facts as they found them with recommendations for changes for government policy in the future. The current Blue Ribbon Panel on "sustaining America's diverse fish & wildlife resources" emphasizes incentives of industries, businesses and landowners to aid in conservation funding to prevent species from being added to the endangered species list. The term has leaked into official usage. From January 29, 2010, to January 2012,
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