WASHINGTON- Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., was presented with the George E. Brown Jr. Award by the Science-Engineering-Technology Working Group for his leadership in promoting policies that benefit S.T.E.M. students.

The group cited McKinley's work on the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2015, his sponsorship of the GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2015, his bipartisanship efforts to increase S.T.E.M. education funding and his work to improve coordination among the DOD, universities and other research facilities in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015.

"S.T.E.M. education is vital for our nation's future because it will help diversify our workforce, create new jobs, and keep the United States competitive in a global economy. Prioritizing federal research will help us break barriers, find cures, bolster our national security, and leave our kids and grandkids with a stronger America," McKinley said.

The George E. Brown Jr. Award is named after the congressman who was a leading advocate for science, engineering and technology policy while serving over 35 years in the House of Representatives. During his time in Congress he rose to become chairman of what is now the U.S. Committee on Science, Space and Technology, and a strong supporter of federal research, officials said.