Congressman Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) and Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) were named as recipients of SIA's 2005 Congressional Homeland Security Awards, during a presentation on Tuesday, June 14 as part of the SIA Government Sales & Marketing Summit.
Bonilla, who has served for 15-plus years in the U.S. House, has been an advocate of agriculture and food security as well as border security. Bonilla, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is the current chair of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, and serves on the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and the Subcommittee on Defense.
Bonnilla, besides his continuous advocacy of the need to secure out nation's food supplies, has introduced legislation for improving border security.
"Mr. Bonilla has shown his dedication to his role in Congress and his constituency by his support of initiatives that help secure America, support our troops and continue to grow this nation’s economy," said Peter Michel, Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Security Industry Association and former CEO of Brinks Home Security, in a prepared statement.
Hoyer, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. House, is the current Minority Whip, making him the second highest ranked Democrat in the House. Hoyer is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, and serves on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and Housing; and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. He has been well-known for vocal support of law enforcement initiatives to help fund high-tech crime fighting tools.
"Mr. Hoyer has shown his dedication to his role in Congress and his constituency by his support of initiatives that help secure America from bioterrorism, attacks on our financial systems and the nation’s capitol," said SIA's Michel. "His position as Minority Whip, secures a leadership role to help lead Congress in the mission to increase the safety of every American."
