FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 29^th, 2012

U.S. Chamber Presents Paulsen with Spirit of Enterprise Award

In recognition of his strong support in helping to create American jobs 

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) was honored today by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the organization’s Spirit of Enterprise Award for his work in supporting pro-growth jobs initiatives in the first session of the 112^th Congress.

“Our nation’s small businesses are the drivers of innovation, growth, and job creation; it is an honor to receive the Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award this morning,” said Rep. Paulsen.

“Faced with difficult choices and high-stakes politics, these men and women provided America’s business community with a strong voice in Congress,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “We honor these members today for having consistently demonstrated their support for America’s job creators.”

The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award is given out annually to members of Congress based on important business issues outlined in the Chamber publication How They Voted. 

The Chamber scored Congress on 16 House votes in 2011, including the repeal of 1099 reporting requirements, the 3% withholding from contractors, and the healthcare law. Also included in the scoring were votes on the three free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. 

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus, as well as the U.S.–Korea Free Trade Working Group.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, and for past segments of Erik's Correspondence Corner, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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