2012 FUELING GROWTH AWARD

On September 12 I was presented with the 2012 Fueling Growth Award due to my support of ethanol production. This is the highest award given to members of Congress. I have consistently supported a strong renewable fuel standard to promote ethanol production as well as the use of E15, a 15% ethanol blend.

HERRINFESTA ITALIANA

I was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at HerrinFesta Italiana.

The Honoree Banquet was held on May 22 at the Herrin Elks Club.

COALITION AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS

The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks recognized me for my work in maintaining current truck size and weight limits.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS

The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois honored me with a special tribute at their 2012 Salute to Southwestern Illinois Awards Dinner, April 5, 2012, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fairview Heights.

MON-CLAIR CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION

The Mon-Clair Corn Growers Association recognized me for my long history of support for agriculture at the Association’s annual meeting, January 30, 2012, at Lou & Michelle’s Banquet Center in Waterloo.

ST. LOUIS RCGA 2012 “RIGHT ARM OF ST. LOUIS” AWARD

On Jaunuary 26, 2012, I was honored to receive the "Right Arm of St. Louis" Award from the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA), their most prestigious annual award. Since 1975, this award has acknowledged outstanding contributions to St. Louis and the region.

IMUA 2011 PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

The Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) presented me with their 2011 Public Service Award. The IMUA is a not-for-profit trade association representing municipalities that own and operate their own electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications systems in Illinois.

FRIEND OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AWARD

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) presented me with their Friend of National Parks Award. The NPCA is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing America’s national parks.

HEALTH CARE CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD

The Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) presented me with their 2010 Congressional Recognition Award. This award was in recognition of my longstanding commitment to policies that advance quality health care, including my support for the Affordable Care Act and my efforts to secure funding for community health centers.

The Illinois Primary Health Care Association is a non-profit trade association of community health centers that proudly serves as Illinois’ sole primary care association.

NATIONAL MS SOCIETY LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

On March 14, 2011, local members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society presented me with their “2010 Legislator of the Year” Award. The award presentation took place in my Belleville District Office.

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE

I was presented with a “Friend of Agriculture” Award from ACTIVATOR, part of the Illinois Farm Bureau on Monday, September 20, 2010. The award ceremony was held at the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo.

The Illinois Farm Bureau is a membership organization controlled by farmers who join the group through their county farm bureau. There are 96 county organizations in Illinois.

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE AWARD

On September 2, 2010, I was presented with the 2010 Golden Triangle Award from the National Farmers Union. This annual award is the organization’s highest legislative honor and is presented to members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership on issues relevant to America’s family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and rural communities.

LABOR MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

On September 2, 2010 I was named the 2010 Labor Man of the Year by the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council at their Awards Dinner, held in Belleville. This is the highest honor accorded by the Council.

NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION (NATA) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

I was honored by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) with its Distinguished Service Award on April 22, 2010. The award is NATA’s highest honor that can be earned by an individual or organization currently active in general aviation on a regular, day-to-day basis.

According to NATA, the award recognizes outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the industry during the past year or several years. I was recognized for my leadership in Congress on aviation issues, particularly in maintaining a robust general aviation sector and working to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration.

PRIDE OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARD

On March 12, 2010, I was presented with the "Pride 2010 Outstanding Citizen Award" from Pride, Inc. The presentation was made by Pride, Inc. President Pat Morrissey at their annual dinner, held at Lewis and Clark Community College. This award is presented each year in recognition of outstanding service that improves the quality of life for our communities.

CHAMPION OF THE ARTS

On March 31, 2009, I was presented with the "Champion of the Arts" award from the Illinois Arts Alliance. The presentation was made by Nancy Stemper, Executive Director of Carbondale Community Arts and is in recognition of my strong support of the arts.

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE

On October 2, 2008, I was presented with a "Friend of Agriculture" award by the Illinois Farm Bureau. The presentation was at the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo.

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

AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL – NORTH AMERICA CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

I received the Airports Council International - North America Leadership Award on March 13, 2008. This award recognized my work on aviation issues, including leading the effort in the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive legislation, H.R. 2881, to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.

AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION (AOPA)

On October 6, 2007, I was presented the Joseph B. Hartranft, Jr. "Doc" Award by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). This award is presented annually to the elected official who has contributed most signficantly to general aviation.

Because I was unable to attend the award presentation in person, AOPA President Phil Boyer presented the award to me later in my Washington D.C. office.

Go to the AOPA web site to see their coverage and view a video of the award presentation at the AOPA Expo 2007.

NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION (NATCA)

I was presented the National Air Traffic Controllers Association's (NATCA's) highest legislative award, the Sentinel of Safety Award, on January 30, 2007. This award was in recognition of my long-time support of issues important to NATCA.

CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

On Friday, January 12, 2007, I received the “Our Love for Kids Just Keeps on Growing" award from Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. The presentation was part of Cardinal Glennon's 25th Annual Legislative Reception on January 12, 2007.

This award is given annually to one legislator for demonstrating his/her commitment to the health care of children.

CHAIN OF ROCKS CANAL LEVEE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

I was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing my support of ongoing construction on the Chain of Rocks Canal Levee on October 26, 2006.

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

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE

On October 4, 2006, 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.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS (NADO)

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. 

REALTORS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS

On Saturday, January 28, 2006, 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.

BELLEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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.

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.

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

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.

CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

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.

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE

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.

PUBLIC POLICY LEADERSHIP AWARD

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.

FRIEND OF LABOR AWARD

The Madison County Federation of Labor Dinner was held on Sunday, June 26, 2004, in Granite City. They presented me with the 2004 “Friend of Labor” award.

CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN AWARD

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.