Awards

Awards

I am deeply honored to have been recognized by various organizations for the contributions I have made as your U.S. Congressman. Very often, there are a number of indivduals who contribute to these accomplishments. I would like to share with you some of these awards and express my appreciation for all who have worked with me in these endeavors.

On Monday, July 25, 2005, I was presented an award recognizing my service to children's health care issues by Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital President, Douglas Ries. During my visit to Cardinal Glennon, I visited with hospital administrative staff and members of the Board of Directors and toured the hospital's Patient Care Wing, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the

Bob Costas Cancer Center. There was also a briefing on the services provided to Illinois children at the hospital such as neonatal intensive care, stem cells from cord blood and the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center, which serves children with developmental disabilities.

WATERWAYS COUNCIL, INC. LEADERSHIP SERVICE AWARD
The Waterways Council, Inc. Fourth Annual Leadership Service Award was presented on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Congressman John J. Duncan of Tennessee and I were this year's recipients. The award was in recognition of steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation's ports and commercial inland waterways system during my tenure in Congress.

Waterways Council, Inc. is the national public policy organization advocating a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways. The group is supported by more than 250 waterways carriers, shippers, port authorities, shipping associations and waterways advocacy groups from all regions of the country.

On Tuesday, October 12, 2004, I received the Friend of Agriculture Award from the Illinois Farm Bureau for my work in supporting agricultural issues in the U. S. Congress. The award was presented by Sonny Eddleman of Union County, Chairman of the Activator Trustee Committee for the 12th Congressional District at the Monroe County Farm Bureau offices.

The annual Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) luncheon was held on Monday, October 31, 2005, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Illinois. At that luncheon, Congressman John Shimkus and I were presented an award for the economic development work we have done in Washington DC and in the area.

The Midwest Area River Coalition (MARC 2000) held an award ceremony on Monday, October 11, 2004, at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton. At this ceremony I received the Public Policy Leadership Award, in recognition of my leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and in leading the public / private partnership in developing the Great Rivers Museum.

CITIZENS FLAG ALLIANCE AWARD
On Monday, September 20, 2004, I was honored by the American Legion and the Citizens Flag Alliance for my support of the Flag Protection Constitutional Amendment. The presentation of the Citizens Flag Alliance Award was at a ceremony held at American Legion Post 581 in Columbia, Illinois.

In April, 2004, I was awarded the “Champions for Children” award by the Military Impacted Schools Association for my work on the Congressional Impact Aid Caucus.

Impact Aid is federal funding that goes to communities that are home to a large federal government presence, particularly military bases and

Indian reservations, to offset the loss of tax revenue. The Congressional Impact Aid Caucus works to ensure that the Impact Aid program is adequately funded to meet the educational needs of the children that live in these areas.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
On Friday, November 18, 2005, along with former St. Clair County Board Chairman John Baricevic and the Southwestern Illinois Leadership Council I was awarded the 2005 East West Gateway Local Government Achievement Award. The award was in recognition of successful collaborative efforts over 10 years to protect and retain jobs at Scott Air Force Base. The awards were presented during the East West Gateway 40th Annual Meeting which was held at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
On Thursday, November 10, 2005, the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois honored me with a special award for my efforts at preserving and protecting Scott Air Force Base by the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois. The award was presented during the Leadership Council's annual dinner held in Collinsville, Illinois.

The annual Belleville Chamber of Commerce Dinner was held on Thursday, January 26, 2006.

At this event, I gave the keynote address and was presented with an award for contributions to the region in 2006, including projects in the Transportation Bill and efforts to save Scott Air Force Base.

On Saturday, January 28, the Realtors Association of Southwestern Illinois held their annual dinner in Fairview Heights. I was presented with the Good Govenment Award in recognition of my efforts to to keep Scott Air Force Base from closing and for securing funding for several area transportation projects, such as the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge, the expansion of Frank Scott Parkway, and the creation of Metro Link throughout St. Clair County.

I received the 2006 Congressional Partnership Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) at John A. Logan College on August 10.

The NADO awards program recognizes members of Congress that have displayed strong support of regional development polices.

On October 4, I was presented with the "Friend of Agriculture" award by the Illinois Farm Bureau. This presentation was at a meeting hosted by the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders, Inc. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Evansville.

This award is presented in recognition of my support of issues of importance to Illinois farmers.

I was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing my support of ongoing construction on the Chain of Rocks Canal Levee on October 26.

The presentation was made by members of the Madison County Board and the Chouteau, Nameoki and Venice Drainage and Levee District.