Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln this week received the National Restaurant Association’s first annual Congressional Leadership Award in recognition of her efforts to fight hunger across the nation and around the world.
“I am honored to receive this award because it helps shine a light on the millions of children and adults in our country who struggle each day to find adequate, nutritious food. In our own state, more than 400,000 Arkansans do not have enough to eat on any given day. These are our co-workers, our relatives, and our friends. They are families with children, including military families, and the elderly. Hunger does have a solution, and I encourage all Arkansans to reach out to those in need,” said Lincoln.
As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Lincoln plays a critical role in the fight against hunger in Arkansas and across the nation through food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and our school breakfast and lunch programs.
Lincoln founded the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus in 2004 to help focus the Senate’s attention to the hunger that exists in this country. She is also a cosponsor 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.
“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.”
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.).
