SIA Legislators of the Year Recognized at SIA GovSummit

Sen. Cory Gardner accepts SIA Legislator of the Year Award from Denis Hebert of SIA.

The Security Industry Association (SIA) this week recognized three Members of Congress as SIA Legislators of the Year for their work on policy issues important to the industry.

The SIA Legislator of the Year Award is presented annually to Members of Congress and other elected officials that have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing legislation and policies that encourage the effective use of technology solutions to enhance public safety and security and to protect critical infrastructure.

SIA recognized the lawmakers over the course of the 2017 SIA GovSummit, June 28-29, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

In congressional offices on Wednesday, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., accepted honors for sponsorship of S. 190, the Power and Security Systems (PASS) Act, which extends an exemption for external power supplies used in security and life safety systems from certain efficiency standards.

Also Wednesday, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., met with SIA Chairman Denis Hebert to receive an award for sponsorship of H.R. 511, the House version of the PASS Act.

On Thursday, Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., attended the SIA GovSummit program at The Liaison Capitol Hill to accept his award, which he earned in part for sponsorship of H.R. 1636, the School Safety Act, which would restore U.S. Department of Justice assistance to schools struggling to implement basic safety measures as well as efforts to secure Congressional support for related appropriations.

“It is so important for us to protect our children as they go to school. They have been subjected to things they should not be subjected to. It is your organization that is going to help prevent that kind of violence. I look forward to working with you to support that mission,” Coffman said upon acceptance of his award.

“As the Security Industry Association set its legislative agenda for 2017, keeping security systems free of regulatory burdens emerged as a top priority. SIA was pleased that Sen. Cory Gardner and Rep. Peter Welch agreed through their sponsorship of the PASS Act in the Senate and House respectively,” said Jake Parker, SIA Director of Government Relations. “Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Coffman continued to demonstrate extraordinary leadership in fighting for school safety funding, a top priority for SIA in recent years. SIA will continue to serve as a resource for these outstanding leaders as we continue to work together to maintain and increase the safety and security of our country.”