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PPAI Names Congresswoman Renee Ellmers 2014 Legislator Of The Year

Washington, DC, April 8, 2014 | comments
PPAI announced today that Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) has been named the Association's 2014 Legislator of the Year. The award will be presented Thursday during the PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) in Washington, D.C.
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PPAI Names Congresswoman Renee Ellmers 2014 Legislator Of The Year
PPAI Publications
Tuesday, April 8, 2014

PPAI announced today that Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) has been named the Association’s 2014 Legislator of the Year. The award will be presented Thursday during the PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) in Washington, D.C.

The PPAI Legislator of the Year Award recognizes members of Congress who have shown a commitment to small-business interests and success, a willingness to meet with industry professionals and have given their support to issues critical to the promotional products industry.

“I’m honored to have been named Legislator of the Year by Promotional Products Association International and thank them for all they are doing for our nation’s small businesses and employees,” says Ellmers. “I’m humbled by this distinction and grateful that PPAI has recognized my work in Congress to protect the free enterprise system, individual liberty and the American values that make our nation strong. I want to take this opportunity to applaud PPAI for the work they are doing to fight for small businesses in North Carolina and across the country.”

As a small-business owner, Congresswoman Ellmers knows firsthand about the difficulties of running a small business while facing stiff regulations and tax rates. She has long been a proponent of small businesses, especially for minority and women-owned businesses. In her home state of North Carolina, 98 percent of promotional products companies are small businesses.

“Congresswoman Ellmers’ efforts to create a ‘government-out-of-the-way environment allowing small businesses to get back to innovation and hiring,’ is commendable,” says Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “She is a dedicated and stalwart small-business champion.”

The PPAI Legislator of the Year Award is presented as part of L.E.A.D. when PPAI leadership and industry professionals visit Washington, D.C., for the fifth annual L.E.A.D. event. Nearly 70 advocates from 30 states will conduct approximately 250 meetings with senators, congressional representatives and their legislative staffs on Capitol Hill this week to discuss pending legislation and issues relevant to the promotional products industry.

In 2012, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) was recognized as the Association’s inaugural Legislator of the Year, and in 2013 Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) was honored.