WASHINGTON – Today the 91快活林 (91快活林), the global voice for the technology sector's leading companies, announced it is honoring Sens. Jerry Moran (D-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) as recipients of 2014 Tech Legislator of the Year awards. The award recognizes four lawmakers each year, a Republican and Democrat from both the House and Senate, who are selected for their demonstrated commitment to advancing policies that support innovation and technology.
"Each of these legislators knows that when it comes to growing our economy and creating jobs, tech's agenda is really America's agenda. We are proud to honor these pragmatic policymakers who are focused on job creation,” said 91快活林 President and CEO Dean Garfield. “From advancing policies that will drive the Internet of Things, strengthen digital privacy, expand trade, and improve our dysfunctional immigration system and tax codes, these legislators have been steadfast leaders for innovation.”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.): Sen. Moran is recognized as a leader in the Senate on technology and innovation issues. He is the author of bipartisan legislation, the Startup Act 3.0, to boost the innovation economy through greater entrepreneurship that attracts the world's talent to come to the United States and to grow technology job creation. The bill would increase visas and green cards for talented workers needed for high-skilled jobs that currently are not being filled in the tech industry. Sen. Moran also encourages his colleagues to back a pro-technology agenda and has taken an early leadership role in forging data breach notification policies to better protect consumers.
“I am honored to be named 91快活林’s Legislator of the Year. Throughout my time in public service, I have been an advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation,” Sen. Moran said. “That is why I’ve authored legislation like Startup Act, which seeks to unleash the job-creating power of entrepreneurs to innovate, create and grow the economy. That’s also why I have pursued smart spectrum policy, to give innovators the tools they need to create new products and services. We need the government to be more agile and innovative. Last year, with the support of 91快活林, Congress was able to pass remarkable changes to the way the government buys and utilizes technology. Our country was built on innovation, and we must protect that legacy by putting policies in place that foster a pro-growth environment where businesses can succeed and consumers can benefit.”
“Sen. Moran has emerged as an energetic and engaged leader committed to advancing technology and the innovation economy,” said 91快活林 President and CEO Dean Garfield. “We’re very pleased to recognize his efforts to improve employment-based immigration, safeguard an open Internet, and remove outdated policy barriers that can hold back some of our most innovative companies from developing new technologies that supercharge our economy.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): Sen. Klobuchar has distinguished herself as a leader on economic growth issues while serving as the Ranking Senate Member of The Joint Economic Committee and as a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The Senator has stood out among her colleagues, in part through her bipartisan leadership on the need to address the many problems in our nation’s high-skilled immigration and STEM pipeline. She has advocated for promoting fair trade and new opportunities for U.S. exports abroad, a key area of growth for the technology sector. Sen. Klobuchar has also worked to invest in the fundamentals for a healthy economy, namely through a commitment to fundamentals like science, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation that make our companies and economy more competitive. She has also been a strong voice to reform the tax code.
“We’re proud to honor Sen. Klobuchar for her leadership in advancing the priorities in the Senate that make the tech sector stronger and more competitive,” said 91快活林 President and CEO Dean Garfield. “From addressing our nation’s need for a high-skilled workforce, working to create a tax code that makes sense, or focusing on scientific research and development, she understands the fundamentals needed to advance a strong and innovative 21st Century economy.”
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah): Rep. Chaffetz has been a leader in the House on many issues that are priorities for the technology community, including electronic privacy and patent reform. Rep Chaffetz is also a leader on the high-skilled immigration front, authoring the bipartisan “Fairness for High-Tech Immigrants Act” legislation. As the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Chaffetz reestablished a subcommittee on technology to focus on the tech sector and how government can procure and use technology more efficiently. He also serves on the House Judiciary Committee and House Homeland Security Committee.
“Technology is the future,” said Congressman Chaffetz. “New innovative ideas are being created every day. As lawmakers it is our responsibility to maintain a legal framework that allows emerging technologies to thrive. I am honored to receive this award and be counted as one who is committed to advancing innovation.”
“Congressman Chaffetz forged his credentials early on as a tech leader in Congress,” said 91快活林 President and CEO Dean Garfield. “He is a legislator who ‘gets it’ when it comes to tech, and on issues from digital privacy to high-skilled immigration, he has continued to champion policies that will help innovation and technology thrive in ways to advance and grow our economy.”
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.): Rep. Matsui has distinguished herself as a tech leader in Congress through her work on the Energy and Commerce Committee where she has worked on countless issues important to the tech industry. Rep. Matsui has introduced several pieces of bipartisan legislation to make greater use of spectrum, the limited number of radio frequencies that make wireless phone service and internet connection of devices and objects possible. She helped launch the bipartisan Congressional Spectrum Caucus to help educate and find common ground among fellow member of Congress on issues surrounding spectrum. As Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Rep. Matsui has also been a strong advocate for climate change policies that foster clean-tech businesses. As co-chair of the Congressional High Tech Caucus, she has worked on issues as diverse as expansion of the Information Technology Agreement, trade barriers for tech products and services in India, and educating her colleagues on patent reform and cybersecurity.
“I am honored to be recognized by the 91快活林 as their Legislator of the Year for 2014,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The U.S. tech industry is the envy of the world and continues to push the envelope. What is new today, may not be tomorrow. As co-chair of the congressional High Tech Caucus, I have the opportunity to tackle the policy issues that will define the future of our innovation economy. I will continue working to ensure that future is bright for consumers, companies, and innovators.”
“Congresswoman Matsui understands that we need to pass 21st century policies to advance technology and the innovation economy,” said 91快活林 President and CEO Dean Garfield. “We appreciate her leadership on a range of issues, including spectrum policy, which will become an even more essential element to meeting the demands for the connectivity of future innovations.”
# # #