October 22, 2010, 10:11AM

Staten Island, NY - Today, the American Beverage Association (ABA) presented Rep. Michael E. McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) with their “Job Saver” Award during a ceremony at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Mariners Harbor.  The ABA honored Rep. McMahon because of his opposition to a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks.   According to the ABA, his strong opposition saved over 126,000 jobs in New York State alone.

 “We are proud to honor Representative McMahon for his commitment to preserving the jobs of beverage industry employees in New York,” said Susan Neely, President & CEO of the American Beverage Association in a released statement. “Rather than burdening our families and communities with a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, we must strive for sound public policy that will promote job growth. The American Beverage Association thanks Representative McMahon for opposing a discriminatory tax on our grocery carts.” 

 In July of 2009, Rep. McMahon sent a letter, signed by twelve other Member of Congress, to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means urging them to drop the beverage tax because of the unfair burden it would place on middle class working families.  Rep. McMahon’s letter was also forwarded to House Democratic and Republican leadership.

 “In this harsh economic climate, saving jobs for New Yorkers is one of my chief concerns,” said Rep. McMahon.  “This tax would have been devastating to middle class working families who are struggling to make ends meet.  Opposing the beverage tax was the right thing to do for my district, and I am glad that so many jobs were saved because of it.”