From: www.itworld.com

BSA Announces Cyber Champion Awards to Members of Congress

December 18, 2008 —

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) today is honoring a group of outstanding US lawmakers for their leadership in building a safe and legal digital world by awarding them the association’s highest honor, the Cyber Champion Award.

The global software industry group announced its annual Cyber Champion awards, which are being presented to Senators Charles (Chuck) Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and to US Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Eric Cantor (R-VA). During the 110th Congress, each of these lawmakers played an instrumental role in the passage of legislation to protect intellectual property and fight cyber crime. These lawmakers were also champions of other pro-growth, pro-innovation measures.

“A strong tech industry is crucial to America’s ability to address almost every economic and social challenge, from national security to the economy, healthcare, and the environment,” said Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of BSA. “Ensuring that IT will continue delivering solutions for America will require concerted efforts on many fronts, including economic policy, the workforce, innovation, security, trade, and intellectual property. Partnerships between government and the private sector are essential to finding solutions to these challenges, and we salute each of the 2008 Cyber Champion award recipients for their extraordinary commitment to these issues.”

The BSA Cyber Champion Award was established in 1998 to recognize policymakers for their leadership in promoting policies that strengthen the high tech industry and create high-skill, high-wage jobs for millions of Americans.

Previous Members of Congress who received the award include Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), John Ensign (R-NV), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Howard Coble (R-NC), Lamar Smith (R-Texas), David Dreier (R-CA), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA).