Recognizing Pro-Business Lawmakers: Sen. Richard Burr (above center) was presented the IFDA Senate Thomas Jefferson Award for Distinguished Service by constituent Mac Sullivan (center-right), CEO of Pate Dawson Company of Goldsboro, NC. Mr. Sullivan recognized Sen. Burr as “a true champion of stopping excessive legislation and regulation that hampers our economy.” Also on hand were IFDA Chairman Tom Zatina (right), president of McLane Foodservice, and Mark Allen (left), president and CEO of IFDA.
“The Thomas Jefferson Award is our way of recognizing and thanking lawmakers who have worked to strengthen American business by standing true to the free market ideals espoused by one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson,” states IFDA's Mark Allen. “Members of Congress who have stood strong to protect America’s businesses and promote prosperity for the American people deserve our praise.”
"A wise and frugal government . . . shall leave men . . . free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government."
During his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson articulated the principles of free enterprise. In the spirit of these principles, IFDA presents the IFDA Thomas Jefferson Awards to recognize lawmakers who support pro-growth, fiscally responsible policy.
IFDA Members Recognize Legislators Who Support Free Market Principles
The IFDA Thomas Jefferson Awards are presented in conjunction with the IFDA Washington Insight Conference. Since 1992, these awards have been presented at the end of each Congress to honor Members of Congress who have demonstrated their commitment to free enterprise by their voting records on issues such as taxes, free trade, labor policy, and other economic matters. The program also recognizes Senators and Members of Congress for their consistent support of specific industry priorities on issues ranging from energy policy to permanent Death Tax Repeal. Award recipients have a 70 percent or better voting record on specific votes deemed important to our industry. Click on the link below to see the list of key votes in the 112th Congress and how Members of Congress voted.
112th Congress Key Votes
Criteria for Selection
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) selects votes critical to the industry, its customers, and to the nation’s general economic prosperity. While these bills were being considered during the 112th Congress, the industry’s position was clearly conveyed to elected representatives. Recipients of the 2012 Thomas Jefferson Award must support our position on at least 70 percent of those crucial votes.
The Distinguished Service Award
One U.S. Senator and one U.S. Representative receive the Thomas Jefferson Award for Distinguished Service, honoring their vigorous support for the principles of free enterprise. Past recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service include Sen Jon Kyl and Rep. Paul Ryan (2010) and Sen. Richard Burr and Rep. John Kline (2012).
Description of the Awards
The Thomas Jefferson Award, custom-crafted out of pewter and walnut, features a replica of the standing sculpture of Thomas Jefferson as he appears in the Jefferson Memorial, framed by the four pillars of prosperity: agriculture, manufacturing, commerce and navigation. The Distinguished Service Award (shown here) features the four pillars of prosperity and a seated sculpture of Thomas Jefferson.