WASHINGTON -- Representative Tom Petri was honored Wednesday by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) with its annual "Hero of the Taxpayer" award at an event in the U.S. Capitol.

"This award is to recognize Congressman Petri's consistent votes on behalf of taxpayers, both on keeping spending down and also on reducing the tax burden on working Americans," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. "He has been voting consistently to cut the income tax, the capital gains tax - making it easier, less expensive for people to have children by getting the deductions up. So, again and again and again, Congressman Petri's is a consistent record of voting to reduce the tax burden on the American people."

"Taxes are already too high, and what we need to do is concentrate on doing a better job of spending the money that the government's already collecting rather than just raising taxes when there are budgetary problems," said Petri. "Government revenue at the federal level has been increasing dramatically this year without any tax hikes because the economy is stronger, and the key is to have frugal government and a strong economy rather than tax increases."

Rep. Tom Petri (right) is presented with the Hero of the Taxpayer award by Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist.