RCAP’s 2022 Congressional Champion Awards Recognize Sen. Shaheen and Rep. Valadao for their Support of Rural Communities  

RCAP’s 2022 Congressional Champion Awards Recognize Sen. Shaheen and Rep. Valadao for their Support of Rural Communities   

Washington, DC (March 2, 2022) — The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Inc. and its national network of six regional partners honor U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Representative David G. Valadao (R-CA-21) with the 2022 Congressional Champion Award for their outstanding service, dedication, and tireless advocacy on behalf of rural communities and small towns across the nation. Established in 2019, RCAP’s bipartisan congressional awards are chosen by RCAP’s regional partners and given to policymakers who have gone above and beyond in supporting policies that benefit small communities, and take actions to make them a reality.

RCAP Interim CEO Keith Ashby says “We are pleased to recognize the dedicated commitment of Senator Shaheen and Representative Valadao on behalf of our network. They both understand the critical importance of water and wastewater infrastructure as a foundation for access to safe drinking water and better livelihoods in the small, rural communities we serve, and have demonstrated this through their actions.” 

Sen. Shaheen was nominated by RCAP’s regional partner, RCAP Solutions, for her commitment to rural communities in New Hampshire. Sen. Shaheen has a proven record of dedication to rural communities. She advocated to include $10 billion for PFAS and other emerging contaminant funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Sen. Shaheen was also instrumental in getting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed providing over $50 billion for water infrastructure. She introduced the bipartisan “Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act” to provide direct pandemic relief assistance to small rural water utilities.  

Rep. Valadao was nominated by RCAP’s regional partner, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) for his commitment to rural communities in California. Rep. Valadao is a champion for rural communities in Central Valley, California. His deep commitment to his community has translated to securing reliable and clean drinking water resources and funding throughout the Valley. He understands the extreme importance of water in his community to strengthen the local economy and ensure that everyone has the opportunity for safe drinking water.