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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

09/12/02

ATR Announces Winners of "Hero of the Taxpayer" Award for 2002
Taxpayer advocacy group praises Members of the House and Senate for voting consistently in the interests of taxpayers

WASHINGTON - Americans for Tax Reform is proud to present 202 members of the House of Representatives and 31 Senators with the Hero of the Taxpayer Award for 2002. Because of these members' dedication to taxpayers, hard-working Americans will not have to contribute even more of their incomes to wasteful government spending.

In order to receive this award, members of Congress must vote and represent the interests of American taxpayers. ATR records the way the members vote on the twenty most important items for taxpayers across the country. Critical votes include the permanent Death Tax repeal, Trade Promotion Authority, and agriculture subsidies. Winners of this award must vote in the interest of American taxpayers at least 85% of the time.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform in Washington, D.C., said, "I am extremely impressed with the commitment of these 233 members of Congress. The recipients of this award are truly on the side of American taxpayers. However, where is the rest of Congress? Taxpayers across America should take note of those who did not receive the award and reflect their dissatisfaction with them in the upcoming elections."

Americans for Tax Reform also grants the special Hero of the Taxpayer Award to those who are not members of Congress, but have still made an impact on the side of American taxpayers. This year ATR honors Mitch Daniels, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, for his efforts to control federal spending.

"I only can hope that next year we are able to grant even more members of Congress this award. Increase in the number of awards equals decrease in the amount of taxes paid by Americans," Norquist said.

To see a list of award winners, and the score received by winners and non-winners alike, please go to: http://www.atr.org/ratings/107thcongress2nd/winners.html.

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.