WASHINGTON DC — As part of the American Bakers Association’s (ABA) Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit, held Nov. 13-15 in partnership with the American Society of Baking and Retail Bakers of America, the organization recognized four Congress members during the annual Bakers Dozen Congressional Awards Ceremony.
“The Bakers Dozen Awards are an acknowledgment to elected officials who have demonstrated a commitment to key priorities and policies that are important to the commercial baking industry,” said Eric Dell, president and CEO of ABA.
The event was held on Nov. 14, and over 400 people including members of the commercial baking industry and Congressional staffers were in attendance.
“These awards honor members of Congress who deliver more than what is expected in service to their constituencies and the commercial baking industry,” Dell said.
“These awards honor members of Congress who deliver more than what is expected in service to their constituencies and the commercial baking industry.” — Eric Dell | president and CEO | American Bakers Association
The 2023 recipients include Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania; Sen. Thomas Tillis of North Carolina; Sen. John Thune of South Dakota; and Rep. David Scott of Georgia.
“It is an honor to receive the 2023 Bakers Dozen Award, particularly at a time when food assistance programs are under constant threat,” Scott said. “Supporting bakers goes hand-in-hand with supporting food assistance for America’s hungry families. Protecting the dignity of American families by promoting access to food and defending their freedom to choose what to eat is a core value that guides my leadership of the House Agriculture Committee as we negotiate the next Farm Bill.”
Tillis was recognized for introducing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to push for making the Small Business Deduction permanent. Thune’s co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism (UNITED) Act (S629) would open export opportunities with the United Kingdom for businesses of all sizes, increase the resilience of critical supply chains, and advance economic prosperity for people in both countries.
“It is an honor to have earned the Bakers Dozen Award, representing a district that employs thousands in food manufacturing and is a leading agricultural producer,” Smucker said. “I’m committed to advancing policies like the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to support our small businesses and sustain American job growth.”