Lugar wins award 26th time

Indiana Republican Sen. Dick Lugar was awarded with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award last week for the 26th time.

The award is granted to U.S. representatives and senators who vote for more than 70 percent of pro-business legislation the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site.

Lugar voted with 100 percent of issues during the 110th Congress, including his vote for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the 2008 College Opportunity and Affordability Act, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Web site.

J.P. Fielder, director of media relations for U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Lugar’s voting record shows his strong understanding for policy issues that create jobs.

“Sen. Lugar is a true leader of Capitol Hill and has taken great measures to create jobs for the country and Indiana,” Fielder said.

Cameron Carter, vice president of economic development and small business affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Lugar’s voting record in support of small businesses stems from the senator running his own small company with his brother Tom prior to his career in public service.

“They dealt with the difficulty in making decisions and balancing profits and losses,” Carter said. “I think his first hand understanding of what Indiana businesses go through makes him deserving of the award.”