WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) presented their first-ever AEM Champion of the Industry Award this week to U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.), alongside Representative Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The AEM Champion of the Industry Award recognizes members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for their outstanding support for the equipment manufacturing industry and their efforts to advance bipartisan, commonsense solutions to the country’s toughest challenges.

The AEM Champion of the Industry, AEM’s most prestigious recognition, is reserved for one Democrat and one Republican from each chamber who have championed legislation important to equipment manufacturers and have demonstrated a commitment to work across the aisle in support of common objectives. Candidates are considered and approved by the AEM Government and Public Affairs Committee.

“I am humbled to be one of the first ever recipients of the AEM Champion of the Industry award and thank them for the recognition,” said Rep. Bacon. “America’s equipment manufacturers provide good stable jobs for nearly three million Americans and legislative policies that support the growth of the industry are paramount to its success.” 

“We are proud to recognize Senators Joni Ernst and Amy Klobuchar and Representatives Don Bacon and Cheri Bustos who earned this distinction for being steadfast champions of our industry and tireless advocates for the issues that are critical to the long-term success of equipment manufacturing in America,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM senior vice president of government and industry relations. “Throughout their time in Congress, these lawmakers have consistently recognized the important contributions of equipment manufacturers and worked to encourage a strong and vibrant industry.”

AEM is the North American-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry supports 2.8 million jobs in the U.S. Equipment manufacturers also contribute $288 billion a year to the U.S. economy.

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