Kentucky's Chandler honored by American Horse Council

The American Horse Council’s 2009 Rolapp Award was presented to Congressman Ben Chandler of Kentucky for his outstanding support of the horse industry. The award was presented to Congressman Chandler on June 16 at a Congressional Reception in the Capitol during the American Horse Council’s National Issues Forum in Washington, D.C.

Each year the American Horse Council presents the Rolapp Award to that Member of Congress who has done the most for the horse industry. The Award is presented in honor of Rich Rolapp, the former President of the AHC who passed away in 1993. Previous award winners include Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, Congressmen Hal Rogers, Jim McCrery, Bart Gordon and Congresswoman Karen Thurman, among others.

In presenting the award, Jay Hickey, president of the AHC, said that “This year’s winner is most deserving. The horse industry very much appreciates Mr. Chandler’s support, hard work and tenacity and is pleased to present him with the Rolapp Award.”

Congressman Chandler received his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Kentucky. Prior to this election to Congress he served two terms as Kentucky’s Attorney General. In 1995 he became the youngest Attorney General in the Nation and was re-elected without opposition in 1999.

Mr. Chandler was elected to Congress in 2004 in a special election and has taken the lead on many issues of importance to Central Kentucky families. He is a member of the Blue Dog conservative Democrat Caucus and has continually backed fiscally responsible budget plans that extend middle-class tax cuts while slashing the federal deficit. Congressman Chandler has co-sponsored legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, secure funding for veterans health care and fully fund education reform for our children.

“When he first came to Congress, Mr. Chandler was a member of the House Agriculture Committee, where he was very helpful in extending federal disaster relief to horse breeders,” said Hickey.

In January 2007, Congressman Chandler was selected by his Democratic colleagues to serve on the coveted House Committee on Appropriations, where he tenaciously pursued initiatives that promote the long-term economic growth of his district and his constituents.

“Mr. Chandler has been very supportive of bringing the World Equestrian games to his district of Lexington, Ky. in 2010 and has worked overtime to secure federal assistance for the infrastructure needed to host the games and make them run smoothly,” said Hickey. “Congressman Chandler understands the importance of the $102 billion horse industry, not only to Kentucky but to the nation. The American Horse Council very much appreciates Mr. Chandler’s long-standing support and is pleased to present him with the 2009 Rolapp Award.” (AHC)

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