Independence Hall Foundation Honors Scott Garrett — The conservative Independence Hall Foundation has chosen Congressman Scott Garrett (NJ-5) as its 2016 Frederick Muhlenberg Legislator of the year.
The Award is named in honor of Pennsylvania Congressman Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the US House of Representatives and is awarded annually to a legislator from the tri-state region.
Congressman Muhlenberg, born January 1, 1750 in Trappe, Montgomery County, PA, served in the Continental Congress and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before representing the Keystone State’s At-Large and 2nd Congressional Districts from 1789-1797. As House Speaker, Congressman Muhlenberg had the distinct honor of being the first signer of the Bill of Rights.
Previous Foundation Legislator of the Year award recipients are Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8), 2015; Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6), 2014; and Pennsylvania State Representative Steve Barrar, 2013.
“This year’s recipient, Congressman Scott Garrett, a staunch defender of religious liberty and the Bill of Rights, was a natural choice for this award,” said Foundation spokeswoman, Teri Adams.
“A consistent conservative over the years, outgoing Congressman Garrett, who represents a portion of Northern New Jersey, has a lifetime rating of 99.3 from the American Conservative Union.
“A founder of the House Constitution Caucus and the House Freedom Caucus, Congressman Garrett is also a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus,” said Ms. Adams.
“While serving on the House Budget Committee, the Congressman fought for accuracy in government accounting by introducing the Budgetary and Accounting Transparency Act of 2014.
“Among a myriad of other concerns, the Congressman also fought against government earmarks and for the First Amendment Defense Act. In 2007, he sponsored legislation supporting United Nations Membership for the island of Taiwan.”
Born in Englewood, NJ, Congressman Garrett spent most of his life in the Garden State–serving in the New Jersey State Assembly from 1992-2003. The Congressman received a BA in Political Science from Montclair State College and a JD from Rutgers School of Law, Camden.
He and his wife, Mary Ellen, have two adult daughters.