Senator Chris Coons Recognized as 2014 TechVoice Champion

Policymaker Honored for Championing Pro-Innovation Technology Policies

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CompTIA and TECNA, through their TechVoice partnership, are honoring U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware with a 2014 TechVoice Champion Award.

The TechVoice Champion Award recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership in the technology sector; who have championed policies that advance the country's information technology (IT) industry; and who understand that small and medium-sized (SMB) technology firms are the backbone of our nation's economy.

The 2014 TechVoice Champion Award will be presented to Sen. Coons at the TechVoice Champion Awards Dinner in conjunction with the TechVoice D.C. Fly-In on February 11. The fly-in allows U.S. business leaders in the technology sector to meet face-to-face with Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill and other key policymakers in Washington.

Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Brooks Raiford, president and CEO of the North Carolina Technology Association, will also receive 2014 TechVoice Champion Awards at the event.

"Supporting and investing in America's 21st century workforce are imperative for the U.S. economy and its ability to spur job growth and innovation and to compete globally," said Elizabeth Hyman, vice president, public advocacy, CompTIA. "Senator Coons has earned a reputation as a principled, pragmatic legislator with a strong voice for job creation and the innovation economy. He has worked across the aisle to introduce two pieces of legislation that will benefit small tech companies, both of which we have supported, Startup Innovation Credit Act of 2013, S.193 and Startup Act 3.0, S. 310."

Sen. Coons is committed to fulfilling the economic potential of American innovation and has introduced or co-sponsored legislation to grow our economy, including a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's patent system, reforms to promote high skilled immigration, and critical investments in research and development.

"America's innovators and small-business owners are critical to our nation's economic growth," Sen. Coons said. "For close to three decades, innovative startups created nearly all net new jobs in the U.S. We need to continue investing in their potential and in the promise of cutting-edge research and development in our labs and universities. We also need to strengthen our investments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education so we can build a 21st century workforce with the skills employers need. I am thankful to have the support of CompTIA and TECNA in this effort, and am honored to accept the 2014 TechVoice Champion Award."

"Small tech startup companies are a dynamic source of innovation and job creation; we need to be sure these enterprises have the tools to succeed.  We are extremely fortunate to have Sen. Coons support the SMB tech entrepreneur and champion policies that can help them innovate for America," added Hyman.

For more information on the 2014 TechVoice Champion Awards and the TechVoice D.C. Fly-In, visit www.techvoice.org.

SOURCE TechVoice