September 14, 2009
Contact: Mike Donohue (202) 331-5902, Maureen Ryan (202) 331-5939

Washington, D.C. – The National Restaurant Association today presented its first annual Congressional Leadership Award to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) in recognition of her efforts to fight hunger here at home and around the world.

"We are thrilled to present the inaugural Congressional Leadership Award to Senator Lincoln as a strong champion of hunger-relief efforts," said National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. "Senator Lincoln has been an effective leader on this issue – one that is of great importance to the restaurant industry."

Senator Lincoln serves as chairman of the Senate Hunger Caucus, a group seeking bipartisan solutions to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Lincoln is also a sponsor of the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Extension Act, a bill that would advocate for the 36 million Americans at risk of hunger, and help more restaurants take advantage of a tax deduction for food donations and reduce food waste.

The National Restaurant Association created the Congressional Leadership Award to recognize members of Congress who advocate on behalf of important restaurant industry causes and support legislation that help the industry to sustain its role as a job creator, a career training ground, and a cornerstone of the community. Also honored with the Congressional Leadership Award this year were Sens. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).