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Press Room
VI Recognizes Rep. John Katko (NY) with the Congressional Champion Award
May 16, 2019
WASHINGTON – Today, the Vinyl Institute (VI) presented Representative John Katko (R-NY) with its inaugural Congressional Champion Award during the vinyl industry’s annual Congressional Fly-in. The award recognizes his extraordinary work to secure significant new funding for our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
Matt Siegel, vice president of National Pipe and Plastics, a company headquartered in Vestal, NY, presented the congressman with the VI’s Congressional Champion Award, “John is one of the hardest working and responsive leaders we deal with. John and his team are always the first to help solve the problem. When it comes to our area’s water issue, John is a champion who’s on our side.”
Congressman John Katko (NY-24) said, “I am humbled and honored to receive the Congressional Champion Award. Since coming to Congress, I have made it a priority to modernize our nation’s water infrastructure and ensure access to clean water. This Congress, I’ve introduced the bipartisan Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act to help achieve these goals by increasing federal investment in local water projects. In particular, this legislation allocates $20 billion in grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides financial relief for communities in my district in Central New York, and nationwide, to address water infrastructure needs. Additionally, over $3 billion is directed towards grants for water pollution and treatment. These grants will establish thousands of jobs and create economic growth, as well as secure clean water in vulnerable communities around the country. I am honored to receive this award today, and I look forward to continuing bipartisan efforts in Congress to bring America’s water infrastructure into the 21st century.”
“We thank Congressman Katko for his tireless effort to support funding for water infrastructure across the nation and in upstate New York,” added Ned Monroe, VI president and CEO. “His bipartisan leadership has led to legislation that addresses our nation’s critical water infrastructure needs through responsible use of taxpayer dollars and job creation in the vinyl industry. Katko is a champion of taxpayers and folks who are fighting for clean drinking water.”
Rep. Katko, a member of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, has been a leader in securing greater federal investments for water infrastructure. He was a lead sponsor of the SRF WIN Act – legislation that was enacted into law last fall as part of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (PL 115-270). This legislation sets the stage for potentially billions of dollars for the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) State Revolving Funds.
This year, Rep. Katko has joined Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA), as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan $22.5 billion Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019 (HR 1497). The legislation provides billions of dollars for the CWA State Revolving Fund (wastewater), where PVC pipe has been the material of choice for 70% of the new pipe installed. Rep. Katko has also spearheaded bipartisan congressional letters to House Appropriators the past three Congresses successfully requesting increased funding for U.S. water and wastewater infrastructure.
Rep. Katko’s Syracuse district faces major water infrastructure challenges, including the replacement of miles of pipe, making the congressman acutely aware of the need for funding – and championing such efforts – at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure a steady and reliable source of clean and safe water for his constituents.
The vinyl industry is an important part of the Upstate New York economy employing nearly 800 employees in five facilities with an economic impact of $124 million.
About the Vinyl Institute’s Congressional Champion Award
The Vinyl Congressional Champion award recognizes Members of Congress who advance legislation that creates and supports jobs in the vinyl industry and in their states and districts; respond effectively to constituents’ needs and concerns; and support legislation that uses taxpayer dollars responsibly in addressing the critical needs of the nation and keeps our economy strong and thriving. It will be presented annually.
About the Vinyl Institute
The Vinyl Institute, founded in 1982, is a U.S. trade organization representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, and vinyl additives and modifiers. The Vinyl Institute serves as the voice for the vinyl industry, engaging industry stakeholders in shaping the future of the vinyl industry. The U.S. vinyl industry includes nearly 3,000 vinyl manufacturing facilities, more than 350,000 employees and an overall economic value of $54B. For more information, visit vinylinfo.org.