The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) presented U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) with its 2014 Legislator of the Year honor during its Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) in Washington, D.C. April 9 to 10.
The award annually recognizes members of Congress who have shown their commitment to small-business interests and have provided support to issues that have been critical to the promotional products industry.
“Congresswoman Ellmers’ efforts to create a ‘government-out-of-the-way environment allowing small businesses to get back to innovation and hiring,’ is commendable,” said Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “She is a dedicated and stalwart small-business champion.”
Ellmers, a small-business owner herself, believes small businesses are the backbone of the economy. In her home state, 98 percent of promotional product companies are small businesses.
“I’m humbled by this distinction and grateful that PPAI has recognized my work in Congress to protect the free enterprise system, individual liberty, and the American values that makes our nation strong,” Ellmers said. “I will continue to fight for common-sense policies that will put the American people back to work, increase energy production, remove costly regulations that are crippling our small businesses and balance our budget so that we can help families across the country.”
The presentation occurred during PPAI’s fifth annual L.E.A.D. event, during which industry professionals and PPAI leadership visit Washington, D.C. This year about 70 advocates from 30 states held more than 290 meetings with legislators and their staffs to discuss pending legislation and issues that will affect the promotional products industry.
Previous award winners include U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) in 2013 and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) in 2012.
For more information, visit www.ppai.org.
