WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts has been recognized as a “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation (NRF) for his advocacy and leadership on behalf of the retail industry.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from a group that champions main street businesses in Kansas and across the country,” Roberts said. “I have long said that small business is the engine that fuels the American economy.  In Kansas, these small businesses often are the local retailers on Main Street. These businesses need lower taxes, less burdensome federal regulation, and more certainty and stability in lending and the national economy to grow and thrive, and that is exactly what I’m fighting for everyday in the U.S. Senate.”

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay announced Senator Roberts’ award saying, “NRF salutes our retail advocates in Congress for their dedication and proven commitment to public policies that support prosperity on Main Street.”

Shay went on to say, “Retailers are the heart and soul of our communities, and we are pleased to acknowledge lawmakers like Senator Roberts who have consistently supported a pro-economic growth policy agenda to ensure a thriving Main Street and a healthy and vibrant retail sector in Kansas.”

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.

Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance which has jurisdiction over tax policy, and the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee which oversees labor laws, wages, and employee benefits.

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