Sen. Grassley awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by ALA, other whistleblower groups

Contact: Andy Bridges


Communications Specialist


ALA Washington Office


202-628-8410 ext. 8208


abridges@alawash.org

For Immediate Release


May 18, 2007

Sen. Grassley awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by ALA, other whistleblower groups

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award by 25 whistleblower advocacy groups, including the American Library Association.

The award honors Grassley’s leadership in obtaining Congress’ approval of the landmark whistleblower protections in the False Claims Act, Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act, Whistleblower Protection Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

In remarks given as Grassley as he accepted the award, he emphasized the importance of
S. 274, the Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act, which Grassley co-sponsored and ALA strongly supports.

"Whistleblowers are true patriots," Grassley said. "They allow for transparency, which is what government should be about. They are an important part of our system of checks and balances."

The President of the
National Whistleblower Center, Stephen M. Kohn, presented the award and stated, "no other member of Congress has so consistently supported whistleblowers. For Senator Grassley, it never mattered if the President was a Democrat or Republican. It only mattered that the public safety was protected, that the taxpayers were not robbed and that government was responsive to its citizenry. His efforts have saved the taxpayers billions of dollars and have protected the careers of hundreds of honest employees who simply wanted to do their jobs and properly report misconduct."

To learn more about the award, please visit
www.alawash.org, or contact Andrew Bridges, Communications Specialist, ALA Washington Office, 202-628-8410 ext. 8208 or
abridges@alawash.org.