"Our associations are jointly honoring Mr. Brady for his outstanding leadership in international trade," said Jon Kent, Kent and O'Connor, NCBFAA's Legislative Representative in Washington and their lead advocate during the recent campaign to pass the DR- CAFTA bill. Kent witnessed first-hand the pivotal role played by Rep. Brady in winning that razor-slim victory. "In the face of an onslaught of protectionism and bitterly partisan attacks, Kevin Brady deserves a place among the 'profiles in courage.' CAFTA is critical to the security of our region and economic prosperity. This is much-deserved recognition."
Shane Garcia, the chairperson of the NCBFAA's Political Action Committee, and elected NCBFAA Board of Director Representative for Area 5 from the Houston area, in remarks introducing Mr. Brady to the group, said that the last time the National Association honored a Texan, it was in 1993 to then-Congressman Bill Archer, (R-TX) for his work on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
"It is only fitting that Mr. Brady, who followed Mr. Archer to the Ways and Means Committee, should receive the recognition of these American small businesses. NCBFAA chooses someone each year who is not only a champion of small business, but a champion of small international businesses." Garcia said that from Mr. Brady's days as an executive of a Houston area Chamber of Commerce, small businesses have come to depend on the north Houston representative to have an open ear for what it takes to run a small business in these difficult and competitive times.
