From left: Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-1), Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-4), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-5), and WR Board Past-Chair Sean Brownlee, Ravenox owner, and America’s Retail Champion Honoree, presenting the award to Congresswoman Jaime Herrera-Beutler (R-3).

This past week, NRF selected Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) to receive the Champion of Main Street award. Awardees were chosen for their leadership on policies that help retailers and entrepreneurs create jobs in their communities and encourage a vibrant, sustained and healthy retail sector. Key issues included global trade, supply chain resiliency, consumer privacy protection, workforce investments and preservation of the corporate tax rate.

“It’s an honor to be celebrated by the National Retail Federation for my work supporting retailers and entrepreneurs who create jobs in our communities. I’m focused on getting shelves stocked & supporting a thriving workforce,” DelBene said in response to receiving the award.

Twenty-one awards were given throughout the country to 11 House Representatives and 10 Senators.

NRF’s Hero of Main Street award was created by NRF in 2013, and eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance retailers’ priorities. Recipients have supported policies that recognize the contributions of the retail industry, and have worked to encourage a vibrant, sustained, and healthy retail sector. Three Washington State delegates received the award, including, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera-Beutler (R-3), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-5), and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-4).

Congressman Dan Newhouse stated “Our retail industry and the millions of Americans it supports is being hit hard by the effects of inflation, which is why it is more imperative than ever we pursue policies that will promote growth and job creation for our small businesses.”

“It’s an honor to receive the National Retail Federation’s Hero of Main Street Award for my work to champion Southwest Washington’s retailers and small businesses in the U.S. Congress. When employers here in Southwest Washington succeed, that equates to jobs and wages right here, and protecting economic opportunity remains my top priority,” Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler said.