WASHINGTON – Two technology policy groups honored U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) at a ceremony in Washington Tuesday evening with their 2014 TechVoice Champion Award. CompTIA and TECNA annually recognize lawmakers who champion policies that support innovation and America’s small and medium-sized technology firms.

“American ingenuity has always been at the core of our economic success,” Senator Coons said. “It is an honor to receive the 2014 TechVoice Champion Award, and fight for the jobs that the innovation economy creates. The challenges of the global economy may be new, but the solution is the same – supporting and sustaining American innovators. America’s researchers, business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs are already working to help create jobs and ensure American competitiveness in the global economy. We just have to support and sustain their hard work by investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, promoting innovation by investing in research and development, and supporting entrepreneurship.”

Senator Coons was recognized after having established himself as a leader on innovation policy by introducing a series of bills that support research and development, and help innovative small businesses grow to create jobs.

“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 co-sponsored 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 2.0, S. 3217.”

About TechVoice
TechVoice is a partnership of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and participating regional technology associations. Collectively, TechVoice represents thousands of technology companies across the country employing millions of workers. TechVoice is dedicated to empowering and mobilizing the grassroots tech community to impact legislative and regulatory issues important to growth, innovation and job creation. For more information, visit www.techvoice.org and http://twitter.com/tech_voice.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. Visit www.comptia.org, http://www.facebook.com/CompTIA and http://twitter.com/comptia.

About TECNA
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents almost 50 IT and technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North America. TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry.