U.S. Chamber Honors Sen. Mike Crapo with 2004 â??Spirit of Enterpriseâ?? Award

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has been awarded the 2004 â??Spirit of Enterpriseâ?? Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his work in support of businesses, jobs, and the economy in the first session of the 108th Congress. The Chamber, the worldâ??s largest business federation, presented Crapo with the award this morning in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.â??Policies that encourage economic growth are crucial to a strong and vibrant economy,â?? Crapo said. â??A growing economy, in turn, leads to prosperity for the American people. While I am encouraged by recent positive economic news, there is still more to be done. I am pleased to accept the Chamberâ??s award and will continue to support policies that promote the interests of American businesses and citizens.â??â??As America's economy continues to expand, the importance of supporting pro-growth policies in Congress becomes increasingly clear,â?? said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. â??Mike Crapo is a leader who time and again has supported legislation to create jobs, increase productivity, and strengthen our nation's recovering economy.â??The Chamber awards the â??Spirit of Enterpriseâ?? based on rankings it gives members of Congress for key business votes, set out in its annual publication, How They Voted. Sen. Crapo earned a 91 percent score with the Chamber last year and has compiled a 91 percent cumulative ranking during his tenure in Congress. Among the key votes counted by the Chamber in 2003 were votes approving the $350 billion Jobs and Growth Tax Relief package, the Singapore and Chile free trade agreements, and the most sweeping overhaul of Medicare since the program's creation in 1965. Crapo, a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, has led numerous efforts in Idaho to support and promote Idaho business. He recently held a hearing on small business financing and services in Coeur d'Alene, and has supported the development of an agreement between the Small Business Administration and the Hispanic Business Association to have services delivered from the Hispanic Cultural Center. In addition, he has sponsored a workshop in Twin Falls to encourage renewable energy producers to take advantage of available federal aid for their projects, and has met with numerous business owners on the subject.