Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

I couldn’t be prouder to accept this award on behalf of all American communities who are trying to do the right thing by investing in infrastructure, creating jobs, and spending tax dollars as efficiently as possible. These are the types of meat-and-potato issues that have a direct impact on communities and taxpayers across the country and Congressman Hultgren and I both believe they are too important to get caught up in party politics.

This project will help increase commerce and create jobs locally, regionally, and nationally. Specifically, TradePoint will make structural upgrades to the terminal’s East-West Berth, add an upgraded crane rail system to allow direct transfer of cargo from vessels to rail or trucks, design changes to facilitate transfer of liquid commodities, strengthen the bulkhead, and dredge the turning basin and approach channel, in addition to other improvements.

Congressman Ruppersberger was selected for his family-focused approach. He encourages professional development, has offered flexible schedules to employees who want to pursue degrees and serve the military, and provides paid sick and maternity benefits. Four of the Congressman’s 15 staffers have been with him since he was first elected to Congress in 2003. “You are only as good as your team,” Congressman Ruppersberger said.

With each mass shooting — from Columbine to Sandy Hook — I have called for common sense measures to keep guns away from bad guys like background checks. There are also things we can do to reduce the carnage. Ban bump stocks. Ban high-capacity magazines. Ban assault weapons. And put an SRO in every school in America.

Americans on both sides of the aisle agree: Our current tax code is complex, costly and time consuming. It hurts the ability of American businesses to grow and create new middle-class jobs, and for individuals to cover basic household costs. We believe it’s time for real reforms that simplify the tax code, lower taxes on all Americans and their families and stimulate job growth.