ABQ Chamber to present annual awards at event on Tuesday
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Tuesdaywill present its annual awards to legislators and other public- and private-sector leaders.
The annual Legislative Reception and Chamber Awards ceremony will be at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and the event is open to the public.
The chamber will also present six civic, education and business community leaders with a slate of awards recognizing individual contributions to the community, according to a news release from the chamber.
E for Effort Awards
Lawmakers the chamber deemed to have worked diligently on important bills that did not become law.
Rep. Sarah Maestas
Barnes, R-Albuquerque, for DWI Suspect Blood Testing (HB71), Child Abuse Penalties (HB100), Increase 2nd Degree Murder Penalties (HB112), 2nd Degree Murder Time Limit (HB115). Rep. Patricio Ruiloba, D-Albuquerque for Chronic Absenteeism, Intervention, and Driver’s License Revocation (HB297).
Start to Finish Awards
Lawmakers the chamber says gave “unwavering support” to bills that did become law. Reps. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, Nate Gentry, Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, Liz Thomson, D-Albuquerque, Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque, David E. Adkins, R-Albuquerque, for Anti-Crime Package (HB19).
Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, for Alternative Evidence for GRT Deductions (HB194). Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, and Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, for Funding Increase for the Bernalillo County District Attorney (HB2). Sen. Bill Burt, R-Alamogordo, and Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, for Commercial Aerospace Protection Act (SB98).
Chamber Awards
STATESMAN OF THE YEAR: Katharine Winograd, president of Central New Mexico Community College. PUBLIC SAFETY ADVOCATES OF THE YEAR: Dave and Jayann Sepich, the parents of Katie Sepich, who was raped, kidnapped and strangled to death in 2003. The Sepiches have fought for DNA collection laws that would allow arrestees for serious crimes to be more easily linked to cold cases. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: JoAnn Mitchell, founder of the Mission Achievement and Success charter school in Albuquerque. EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA: Mary Lynn Roper. CHAIRMAN’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: Kathy Sandoval-Snider, principal of Albuquerque charter school Institute for Mathematics and Science. BUSINESS ADVOCATE IN POLITICS: Outgoing Rep. Jim Smith, R-Tijeras.