The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) will receive 2019 Digital Patriots Awards during its 15th annual dinner.
The annual awards, which will take place April 30 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, honor elected officials who champion policies vital to innovation in consumer technology.
“Reps. Walden and Murphy fight for smart, pro-growth policies that make America the world’s innovation leader,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA president and CEO, in a statement. “They know that technology drives economic growth. For every job created in the consumer tech sector, close to three jobs are supported throughout the rest of our economy. We thank our Digital Patriots for their leadership and will continue working with them to create prosperity and opportunities from coast to coast.”
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As the current Ranking Member and former Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Walden ensured a smooth transition to digital television and successfully fought for the passage of the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act to ban local and state taxation of Internet access, said CTA.
CTA touted Murphy’s participation on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, as well as her advocacy for “smart trade policy, standing up against tariffs that hurt small businesses and consumers.” She is also a member of the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.
Michael Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy and Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and Martin Dahinden, Switzerland’s Ambassador to the U.S., will also accept the 2019 International Innovation Champion awards on behalf of their countries, which CTA said it is recognizing for “leading the world in having the best environment for innovation.”
