The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) presented Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) with the annual AAFA Friend of the Apparel and Footwear Industry Award during a reception in Washington, D.C., the evening of Sept. 11, 2012.  Each year, this award is presented on behalf of the AAFA Board of Directors to individuals or an organization that recognizes and promotes the issues of a competitive U.S. apparel and footwear industry that operates in the global market.

“With more than four million U.S. workers in the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, it is important for our elected officials to understand our industry's dynamic and compelling story,” said AAFA Board of Directors Chairman Rick Darling, President of Li & Fung USA.  “I applaud Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer for their leadership in working on behalf of our industry to ensure our competitiveness in our ever increasing global market place.”

“Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer recognize the important and positive role the U.S. apparel and footwear industry plays in the lives of hardworking American families,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M..  “Whether they are working to reduce barriers to trade, protect intellectual property, or promoting domestic manufacturers, these senators understand that opportunities for our industry translate into good-paying U.S. jobs here at home.  I look forward to continuing our conversation with these three leaders as we look for additional ways to position the U.S. apparel and footwear industry as a driver of job growth in the United States.”

Over the past year, Senator McConnell has aggressively defended small and medium-sized domestic apparel manufacturers who outfit U.S. troops against Federal Prison Industries, a U.S. federal program that puts inmates to work while in prison.  He has also been an outspoken advocate who urged for the final passage of the long-pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.  In addition, he has led efforts to restore common sense regulatory reforms that enable the U.S. apparel and footwear industry to remain competitive while still putting public safety first.

Senator Schumer, who represents more than 40 percent of AAFA member company headquarters, has been a receptive ear to the U.S. apparel and footwear industry, and has worked with the industry on a variety of issues, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act, and product safety issues.  His proactive leadership has enabled the U.S. fashion industry to build consensus on the real but limited issue of design piracy.

Background

Friend of the Apparel and Footwear Industry Award

The Friend of the Apparel and Footwear Industry Award honors members of Congress, Administration officials, federal agency officials, or other industry stakeholders who support the key issues and priorities of a competitive U.S. apparel and footwear industry. The award recognizes those who consistently uphold the ideals for strong American and global markets that sustain and support U.S. and global economic prosperity. It is awarded on behalf of the AAFA Board of Directors.

Previous award recipients include:

2012     Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

            Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)

2011     Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)

            Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

2010     Women's Wear Daily

2009     Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX)

            Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY)