Crapo, Otter Win Award For Excellence From Nationâ??s Largest Trade Group

Boise â?? The nationâ??s largest industrial trade association is honoring two members of Idahoâ??s Congressional Delegation for their votes in Congress that favor of policies that will benefit manufacturers and workers. On behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Boise Cascade Corporation Chairman and CEO George Harad today presented Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter with NAMâ??s Award for Legislative Excellence.Crapo and Otter, like Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson, have a 100% voting record regarding votes followed by NAM in Congress. Craig and Simpson are expected to receive similar honors at a later date.Crapo said, â??I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from NAM. As I approach the various issues that come before the Senate, it is always important to keep in mind how Idaho's businesses will be affected. It is vital that we find every avenue possible to stimulate growth within American manufacturing companies, particularly in today's economy.â??Otter said, â??Much of my 30 years with the Simplot Company involved manufacturing. So I have a deep appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit that creates real economic growth and good jobs here in Idaho and across America. One of my goals as a legislator is to help maintain and improve the business climate by fostering unfettered competition that enables job-producing excellence to emerge in the marketplace.â?? The National Association of Manufacturers represents 18 million people who make products in the United States. NAM represents 14,000 members, many of them small and mid-sized companies. NAMâ??s mission is â??to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers and to improve American living standards by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conductive to U.S. economic growth, and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media, and the general public about the importance of manufacturing to Americaâ??s economic strength.# # #