WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 15, 2009—Leading small business advocate Rep. John Tanner (D-TN) has been named the 2009 Legislator of the Year by the International Franchise Association.

“We are pleased to award this honor to Congressman Tanner for his work on behalf of the small business community,” said IFA Chairwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens. “His long history of championing fiscal discipline in federal spending and pro-growth economic policies is in line with the philosophy of the franchise business community.” 

IFA presented the award today to Congressman Tanner during its 10th Annual Public Affairs Conference Sept. 14-15 in Washington, D.C. The two-day conference brings over 450 franchisors, franchisees and suppliers to Washington to lobby Congress on issues important to franchising such as health care reform, access to credit and labor policies. 

Dwyer-Owens said that through his work on the House Ways and Means Committee and as co-founder of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative U.S, House Democrats, as well as being a Hampton Inn franchise owner, Tanner understands the importance of franchising to the U.S. economy. 

“There are more than 900,000 franchised establishments in the U.S. that are responsible for creating 21 million American jobs and generating $2.3 trillion in economic output,” Dwyer-Owens said. “But the tight credit market is hampering their ability to create new, sustainable jobs. By putting in place policies that promote lending, policy makers can help franchise businesses provide better jobs that help the economy recover at a faster pace.”

Congressman John Tanner has represented Tennessee’s 8th District in West and Middle Tennessee since 1989, and currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Legislators from all NATO-member nations elected Tanner in November 2008 to serve as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the alliance’s legislative branch. 

Tanner served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1968-1972, after which he received an honorable discharge. He entered the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1972 and retired in 2000 at the rank of Colonel. Congressman Tanner earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration in 1966 from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law in 1968.

The IFA Legislator of the Year is presented annually to a member of Congress who has promoted legislation that protects, enhances and promotes franchising. The IFA’s Public Affairs Conference is supported by ADP Small Business Services, a founding sponsor. 

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About the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of nearly 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org.