WASHINGTON — The National Cooperative Business Association has recognized Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) with its Honored Cooperator Award for his longtime support of cooperative business.
CUNA and NAFCU were among the award's eight organizational sponsors.
NCBA President Paul Hazen presented the award to Johnson's staff at the NCBA annual meeting in Arlington, Va. Johnson was seriously ill in mid-December and only recently released from the hospital and has partially resumed his senatorial duties, the NCBA said.
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Hazen praised the South Dakota Democrat for consistently supporting the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program, which creates jobs and bolsters the rural economy through cooperative business. Typically funded at $6 million annually, the RCDG program is the only federal grants program devoted solely to forming and expanding co-ops.
"It is an honor to receive this award," Johnson said in a written statement. "The RCDG program is an example of the kind of partnership I describe in my Hometown Prosperity Plan, which allows people to pool resources and work together to create opportunity in rural America."
Hazen said Johnson's support for cooperatives has continued during his recent illness. Just recently, Johnson protested cuts that threaten the RCDG program's annual appropriation.
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