10/17/2006 - MMA presents national award to U.S. Sen. Trent Lott

On Oct. 16, 2006, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) presented U.S. Sen. Trent Lott with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence in recognition and appreciation of his consistent support of American manufacturers and their employees. The award was presented during a luncheon held in Jackson at the Regency Hotel and Convention Center at the Coliseum. This award is given to senators and representatives whose voting records on key legislation affecting the manufacturing community demonstrate an understanding of industry’s pivotal role in the U.S. economy and support a pro-growth, pro-manufacturing, pro-worker legislative agenda. “Manufacturing is doing well,” said Jay C. Moon, CEcD, president and CEO of MMA. “Manufacturing production is at the highest point in its history and has the strongest pull on U.S. economic growth of any business sector in the country. “In Mississippi, we are seeing a move toward higher paying, high-tech jobs, and Senator Lott has been instrumental in bringing many of those jobs to the state. We appreciate his efforts and are thankful for his understanding of and support for manufacturing’s key role in our economy and our society,” he said. In the 109th Congress, Lott maintained a perfect voting record on the NAM pro-growth agenda and has received special recognition in the 100 Percent Club. This is an elite group of legislators who support manufacturers’ pro-growth agenda every time. Lott was introduced at the event by MMA board chairman Bob Baughn of Tower Automotive in Canton. Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Building Systems in Pascagoula and an MMA board member, presented the award to the senator on behalf of NAM and the more than 2,000 members of MMA. Moon served as emcee. Lott’s award was based on on the NAM voting records in the 109th Congress. Every other year NAM publishes a comprehensive voting record to reveal how members of Congress voted on issues that affect manufacturers. Each vote was considered based on NAMs pro-growth, pro-manufacturing agenda and is selected by executives from small, medium and large manufacturing firms serving on the NAM’s Key Vote Advisory Committee. Among the key bills affecting Mississippi manufacturers that Lott supported were expanding our energy supplies, reigning in lawsuit abuse, expanding free trade and approving good judges. Lott has served more than 30 years in the United States Congress. Lott’s top priorities for the State of Mississippi are its schools and its transportation system, keys to our state’s continuing economic progress and expanded job opportunities. His focus on economic development and job creation was instrumental to Nissan Motor Company's selection of Canton, Mississippi, for its new $1 billion automotive manufacturing facility. For 16 years in the House of Representatives and 18 years in the Senate, Trent Lott has been a driving force behind America’s military success. He has worked with the Pentagon to advance Mississippi’s prowess in shipbuilding and weapons construction as well as the state's strategic location for its numerous military installations. PHOTO: From left, Gabraelle Lane, director of field advocacy, NAM; Philip Teel, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; MMA Chairman Bob Baughn, Tower Automotive; Sen. Trent Lott; MMA President and CEO Jay C. Moon; former MMA Chairman Sam Moore, Double G Coatings; and Jim Neill, NAM senior director of Senate government relations.

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