On Thursday, during the second day of the PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) in Washington, D.C., Reps. Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) were honored with the Association’s 2019 Legislator of the Year award. Since 2013, the award has been given to honor current members of Congress who have demonstrated a high level of interest and support of the promotional products industry, its members, their businesses and pending legislation that could affect the industry.
After an introduction by PPAI Board Chair Brittany David, MAS, the glass trophy was presented to Rep. Davidson (center, first photo) by his nominee and longtime L.E.A.D. participant, Mitch Rhodus of HALO Branded Solutions, during a breakfast for L.E.A.D. participants at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. Rep. DesJarlais received his trophy a few hours later at his office on Capitol Hill. Making the presentation were PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE and Bill Petrie of PromoCorner and Steve Rone of SnugZ USA, who represented the L.E.A.D. contingent from Tennessee.
U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson has served Ohio’s 8th Congressional District since 2016. He is a tireless advocate for the small-business community, and he is the former chairman of the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association. Davidson won a special election in June 2016 to fill the remainder of the term of outgoing Rep. John Boehner. In Congress, Davidson co-sponsored the Save Local Business Act and sits on two small-business subcommittees; the Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access and the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations. He also serves on the Financial Services Committee, where he focuses on policies that promote economic growth. In Davidson’s home state of Ohio, 97 percent of promotional products companies are small businesses employing 27,000 people and generating revenues of more than $2.7 billion.
U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (center, second photo) has served Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District since 2010. He has a proven track record of supporting policies returning fiscal discipline to Washington and strengthening the economy. Congressman DesJarlais voted for tax reform, supports the Save Local Business Act and worked to repeal federal regulations harming the promotional products industry, particularly those restricting energy and infrastructure development. He is a strong proponent of technical training in schools and expanding the manufacturing sector to help manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs. In DesJarlais’s home state of Tennessee, 98 percent of promotional products companies are small businesses employing approximately 11,212 people and generating revenues of more than $147 million.
Past recipients of the PPAI Legislator of the Year award are Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) in 2018, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in 2017, Reps. Steven Chabot (R-OH) and Greg Walden (R-OR) in 2016, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) in 2015, Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) in 2014 and Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) in 2013.
