From OIA:
Yesterday Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) presented the 2013 Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT). Each year OIA presents this award to members of Congress or administration officials for their leadership in support of the outdoor recreation industry.
“We are thankful for Senator Baucus’ support of the outdoor industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. “He understands the significant contribution of the outdoor industry to the U.S. economy and fights hard for trade and recreation policies that support the outdoor industry in Montana and across the United States.”
As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Baucus oversees all U.S. trade legislation. In this role, Sen. Baucus has fought to maximize U.S. benefits from trade agreements with regional and global trading partners.
Sen. Baucus also serves as Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and is a member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources. In these capacities, he has been a strong proponent of conservation funding and recreation programs, including preservation of Transportation Enhancements in MAP-21 and as the primary sponsor of the Land and Water Conservation Funding Act of 2013. In addition, he has been a solid supporter of preservation of America’s public lands and waters as Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers, and promoted funding for the recreational trails program.
The Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award is presented by industry executives during the Capitol Summit, OIA’s annual outdoor industry lobbying event.
Past recipients of the Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award include:
2012: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA)
2011: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
2010: Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
2009: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
2008: Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO)
2007: Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE), Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO)
2006: Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO)
2005: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
2004: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY)
2003: Rep. David Obey (D-WI), Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT)
2002: Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA)
2001: Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH)
About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
