AFPF
Published: 07-18-08
AUSTIN – Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) will present nine “Defending the American Dream” awards during the two- day summit Friday and Saturday in Austin. Four recipients are Austin residents Carol Jones Will Lutz Dianna Pharr and Nanci Wilson.
Carol Jones an advocate for freedom for more than 30 years will receive the Defender of the American Dream Lifetime Award. An election law expert Ms. Jones served in the Reagan administration and then as the director for the non-profit International Center on Election Law and Administration known as “The Election Center”.
Will Lutz managing editor for The Lone Star Report will receive a Defender of the American Dream Media Award. Mr. Lutz’s ability to analyze and communicate complicated policy issues public education finance insurance and regulation deserves much praise.
Dianna Pharr mother and law school student will receive the Defender of the American Dream Watchdog Website Award. Ms. Pharr’s tireless research and work on behalf of justice and transparency in the Eanes Independent School District should be commended. Her informative website for parents and citizens is www.KeepEanesInformed.com.
Nanci Wilson investigative reporter for KEYE News Austin will receive a Defender of the American Dream Media Award. Ms. Wilson tackles some tough stories notably her piece about Austin-area school district superintendents’ fringe benefits that include country club memberships leased automobiles and home office expenses. AFP is recognizing Wilson for her work protecting consumers and holding government accountable.
The Defending the American Dream Summit’s highlights include keynote speeches from an all-star line-up of conservative new media and traditional media leaders like Michelle Malkin Robert Novak and Barry Goldwater Jr. The Summit agenda may be found online at www.defendingthedream.org/TX/agenda.html
“Americans for Prosperity is delighted to honor these four great Austinites” said Peggy Venable Director of AFP- Texas “The citizen recipients have worked hard to disclose waste fraud and abuse in government. This is the first year we have given media awards and we are pleased to have two deserving recipients.”
The other five Defenders of the American Dream recipients are for Taxpayer Advocate of the Year with two awards going to Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt and Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector Cheryl E. Johnson. Blogger of the Year goes to Donald May from Lubbock who writes Mr. Conservative; New Citizen Watchdog of the Year is Tracy Lodes from Alvord; and Watchdog Group of the Year is The Katy Watchdogs.
Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is the nation’s premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFPF educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information visit www.americansforprosperity.org
