The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on Thursday formally presented its most prestigious legislative recognition, the Guardian of Small Business Award, to U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04).

NFIB Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash presented the award to Aderholt at NorthRidge Fitness, an NFIB member business in Northport owned by Mary Cartee.

The nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, NFIB earlier this week announced its 2020 national recipients of the award, which were earned by legislators for votes in the 116th Congress, which began in 2019 and is currently in session.

“NFIB presents its Guardian of Small Business Award to lawmakers who small businesses can depend on,” Elebash said in a Thursday statement. “Congressman Aderholt has supported Alabama’s job creators on the issues that our members are concerned about…”

Aderholt stated, “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. It’s where new innovations and ideas are developed and nurtured. In fact, almost every large business in America started out as a small business. It’s both my pleasure and my duty to work in Congress to protect small businesses. We depend on these entrepreneurs and that’s why I will always fight for them.”

In Alabama, additional Guardian of Small Business Award honorees were U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Reps. Bradley Byrne (AL-01), Martha Roby (AL-02), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Mo Brooks (AL-05) and Gary Palmer (AL-06).

Elebash added that the award winners “have proven themselves to be real champions for small business.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn