HONORS
In his first Senate term, John has earned national recognition
for his legislative achievements in the areas of health-care, fiscal
responsibility, and energy policy – recognition that underscores
his ability to effect policy that addresses the needs of New Hampshire
residents and Americans nationwide.
Beyond the awards noted below, non-partisan, taxpayer watchdog
organizations - the National Taxpayers Union, the Council for Citizens
Against Government Waste, and Americans for Tax Reform – have consistently
honored John for his commitment to cutting government spending,
reducing taxes, and eliminating the debt.
Read what organization leaders have said about John’s work in the
United States Senate:
• Information Technology Industry
Council’s “2007 Legislator of the Year” Award
John led a successful fight to ban Internet Access Taxes for the
next seven years – a ban that also protects e-mails and instant
messaging from taxation. For this initiative which was signed into
law by President Bush on October 31, 2007 and his leadership on
high-tech initiatives, the Information Technology Industry Council
(ITI) honored John with its “2007 Legislator of the Year” award.
Of John’s legislative record, ITI President Rhett Dawson
stated, “Many legislators talk about the importance of technology,
but Senator John Sununu has been an unequivocal leader. Year after
year, issue after issue, Senator Sununu has shown a commitment to
promoting high-tech growth and knocking down barriers to innovation.”
• National Association of Community
Health Centers “2008 Superhero Award”
Community health centers in New Hampshire and across the nation
provide health care to millions of individuals, children, and families
regardless of income or insurance status. For his continued commitment
to ensuring the availability of this care, the National Association
of Community Health Centers honored John with its “2008 Superhero
Award.”
Of this dedication, Tess Keunning, Executive Director
of Bi-State Primary Care Association, stated, “We are very pleased
and proud to have Senator Sununu receive this award. He has been
an important voice on behalf of health centers in New Hampshire
and indeed across the country. He understands that health centers
are part of the solution to America’s increasingly fragmented health
care system, as they provide communities with a health care home
— we thank Senator Sununu for his continued support.”
• Consumer Electronics Association’s 2007 “Digital
Patriot Award”
Understanding that his legislative initiatives help ensure that
emerging technologies have the opportunity to flourish, leaders
of the Consumer Electronics Association presented John with the
organization’s 2007 “Digital Patriot Award.” As a Member of the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John
has supported legislation that empowers innovators and benefits
consumers.
According to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the
Consumer Electronics Association, “As one of two members of Congress
to be distinguished this year, Senator Sununu has demonstrated a
willingness to push the envelope of innovation and has refused to
settle for the status quo. He has a vision for the future and is
willing to strive towards it. I appreciated the opportunity to recognize
his work as part of this year's Digital Patriots awards ceremony."
TIME Magazine “Up And Comer”
In the April 24, 2006 edition of TIME Magazine, John was named
an “Up and Comer” in a listing of five freshman Senators who have
“turned heads already by learning a specialty or helping to broker
peace in a polarized capital.” Other Members named were Senators
Barack Obama (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Hillary Clinton (D-NY),
and Mark Pryor (D-AK).
The magazine described John by stating, “Only 41
years old, the New Hampshire Republican is the youngest member
of the Senate, but that hasn’t limited his reach. Sununu played
a major role this year on the lobbying-reform legislation, and
he got the Bush Administration to make some crucial changes in
the Patriot Act before he voted to reauthorize it. The son of
form White House chief of Staff John H. Sununu, he has become
a well-respected fiscal conservative, last fall calling for cuts
in nearly every part of the budget to offset spending for Hurricane
Katrina.”
National Association of Community Health Centers “2006
Community Health Defender Award”
In recognition of his work to provide quality health care to those
who have little or no health insurance, the National Association
of Community Health Centers honored John with its “2006 Community
Health Defender Award.” John has consistently worked to bring funding
to community health centers in New Hampshire.
For this achievement, Tess Kuenning, Executive Director
of Bi-State Primary Care Association, stated, “Senator Sununu should
be commended for his active support of Community Health Centers
nationally and in New Hampshire. He knows the value of investing
in health centers because he recognizes the importance of the high-quality
and cost-effective care they bring to a community.”
American Foundation for the Blind’s “2006 Helen Keller Achievement
Award”
Additionally, for his dedication to helping the visually impaired
through the Medicare Low-Vision Rehabilitation Services Demonstration
Project, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) honored John
with a “2006 Helen Keller Achievement Award.”
According to Carl R. Augusto, AFB president and Chief
Executive Officer, “We are grateful to Senator Sununu for his work
to expand opportunities for Medicare beneficiaries with vision loss
to receive services from professionals with training in vision rehabilitation.”
Taxpayers for Common Sense 2005 “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” award
For his strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and his efforts
to eliminate wasteful government spending, particularly regarding
energy policy, Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) presented John with
its “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” award. He was the only Member
of Congress to be recognized with the 2005 “Mr. Smith.” John was
singled out for his independent thinking and strong opposition to
wasteful subsidies in the energy bill, including corporate welfare
for timber companies, and for his long-term commitment to balancing
the budget.
According to Jill Lancelot, TCS President and Co-Founder,
“Like Jimmy Stewart in the classic film, Senator John Sununu came
to Washington to stand up for American taxpayers against pork barrel
politics-as-usual and he is keeping his promise. He has been an
ardent and resolute leader for fiscal responsibility. The Senator
has worked hard to make legislation smarter and cost-effective.”
Bi-State Primary Care Association’s 2005 “Champion of Community Health
Centers”
For his efforts to expand the availability of health services to
New Hampshire residents with limited access to care, the Bi-State
Primary Care Association presented John with its “Champion of Community
Health Centers” award in 2005. John secured critical resources for
community health centers in the state, bolstering the quality and
availability of medical, dental, and homeless health care in New
Hampshire.
According to Tess Kuenning, Executive Director of Bi-State
Primary Care Association, “Bi-State recognized Senator Sununu for
his enormous, long-term commitment to improving access to primary
health care services to medically underserved, geographically, culturally,
and linguistically-isolated persons in New Hampshire.”
- Lighthouse International’s 2004 “Henry Grunwald Award
for Public Service”
Lighthouse International – a non-profit group dedicated to
helping individuals who are at risk for, or experiencing,
vision impairment – also recognized John for his efforts to
advance provisions of his “Medicare Vision Rehabilitation
Services Act of 2003.” The Henry Grunwald Award for Public
Service is presented to those who bring attention to the issue
of vision impairment.
Barbara Silverstone, Lighthouse International
CEO and President, said of John: “He fought fiercely throughout
the legislative process, resulting in the bill’s inclusion
in the Senate’s Medicare prescription drug bill. The Senator
also secured Congressional passage of a nationwide project
to demonstrate the effectiveness of providing vision rehabilitation
services where older adults need them most: in their homes
and communities.”
American Academy of Opthalmology’s 2004 “Visionary Award”
For his outstanding efforts toward the advancement and availability
of quality eye care, the American Academy of Opthalmology (AAO)
honored John with its “Visionary Award” in 2004. In May 2003,
John introduced the bipartisan “Medicare Vision Rehabilitation
Services Act of 2003,” legislation that resulted in a five-year
low-vision rehabilitation services demonstration project in New
Hampshire, North Carolina, Kansas, Washington state, New York
City, and Atlanta. The initiative will allow Medicare beneficiaries
to receive vision rehabilitation therapy in their own homes.
According to H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., M.D., Executive Vice President
of the AAO, “Senator Sununu is a model legislator for a much under-recognized
area in ophthalmology, vision rehabilitation services. As a result
of his efforts, Congress passed a nationwide five year demonstration
– essentially implementing it as law for five years. We are now
working with the Lighthouse for the Blind and others to ensure
prompt implementation of the demonstration.”
|
