WASHINGTON, D.C…. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., has been named Legislator of the Year by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) for his efforts to ensure America’s students have the skills they need to compete in the demanding global economy.
 
“Senator Bennet has demonstrated strong leadership for America’s schools and teachers, making sure that they have the resources to best train students in science, technology, engineering, and math.  He has a clear focus on the rigors of the 21st-century economy and what it will take for the United States to continue to be the driving force for global innovation,” ITI President and CEO Dean Garfield explained.
 
“We must re-imagine our schools as magnets for talent, centers for community engagement, and incubators of innovation to equip our students with the 21st-century skills they need for success in the new economy,” Senator Bennet said.  “ITI and its members know that we must make preparing our children a priority today to ensure America’s global leadership for decades to come.”
 
In addition to his forward-thinking leadership on math and science education, ITI selected Bennet for this award for his efforts to keep the Internet free from arbitrary restrictions by global government organizations and his support for tax incentives to ensure U.S. leadership in research and development.
 
ITI, a leading tech-focused global policy and advocacy organization, honored Senator Bennet with the award during its recent board meeting in Washington, D.C.  The organization is widely recognized as the tech industry's most effective advocacy group in Washington, D.C., and in capitals around the world.