Because he urged the Obama Administration to modify a proposed rule restricting government employees from attending trade associations' meetings, conferences and trade shows, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) will honor Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) with its 2012 Sentinel Award on March 14, it announced last week.
Given out at ASAE's annual legislative fly-in, American Associations Day, the Sentinel Award is given to members of Congress who advocate on behalf of the association community.
According to ASAE, Moran supported its efforts to have a proposed rule from the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) changed to treat all associations equitably and allow federal employees to attend seminars, briefings and other educational events sponsored by trade associations. His support came in the form of a "Dear Colleague" letter that he sent to OGE in December, citing his concern that the proposed rule would restrict the necessary flow of information between the government and the private sector. The letter was co-signed by eight other Democratic legislators: Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.). Although OGE and the White House have not indicated whether they will change the rule, they are now weighing comments before making any final decision.
"ASAE and the association community are fortunate to have leaders on Capitol Hill like Congressman Moran who understand the important interchange that takes place between government employees and the private industries represented by America's associations," said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV. "While this issue hasn't been resolved yet, the support of Congressman Moran and other legislators lends weight to our argument and gives us hope that the Administration will modify this rule to avoid further isolating government employees from the industries they regulate."
The Sentinel Award presentation will be part of ASAE's "Power of A" Week, a weeklong effort to highlight associations' contributions to the U.S. economy. For more information, visit www.thepowerofa.org.