Today’s post comes from National Retail Federation president and CEO, and Bryce Harlow board member, Matthew Shay.
This week, hundreds of Washington, D.C. professionals, including Members of Congress and association presidents came together to honor a great man and D.C. legend, Bryce Harlow.
During the 32nd Annual Bryce Harlow Foundation Awards Dinner, which I had the honor and pleasure to chair, hundreds of lobbyists, government affairs representatives, corporate executives and communicators gathered to remember this great man, his legacy, and commitment to public service and professional advocacy.
At the dinner, we took time to honor the extraordinary class of 2012-2013 Bryce Harlow Fellows – 20 in all – and presented awards to two most-distinguished recipients, Mr. Charlie Black and U.S. Senator Mark Warner.
Senator Mark Warner was the proud recipient of the 2013 Bryce Harlow Award for his contributions to the business-government relationship. Serving with honor as both as the 69th governor and now senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia (my home state), Sen. Warner has fought tirelessly to incorporate free market principles into government, and has reached out to business, trade associations and even Republicans (it happens) to focus the nation’s attention on our deficit and debt.
Senator Warner is an exceptional politician and leader, and most deserving of this
distinguished award.
Charlie Black of Prime Policy Group received the 2013 Business-Government Relations Award for his active contributions to advocacy and public policy. Black has been a trusted advisor and counsel to numerous corporations, clients, presidents and candidates alike – from Barry Goldwater to Mitt Romney. His dedication, trustworthiness and loyalty to his beliefs and his clients have been at the cornerstone of his 30-year career and his laudable success in both public and private service.
Charlie is truly the embodiment of this noble distinction.
The 32nd Annual Bryce Harlow Foundation Awards Dinner is more than just another dinner; it is a time to honor those who dedicated their lives and careers to public service and a moment to welcome a new class of government relations professionals and advocates.
I would like to personally thank Foundation Chairman Juanita Duggan, Foundation President Linda Dooley, U.S. Senate Chaplain Dr. Barry C. Black and U.S. Senators John McCain and Jerry Moran for their time, service and commitment and those who sponsored the 2013 awards dinner. Thank you for keeping Bryce’s legacy alive.
