VBSR legislator of the year award

Burlington, VT – Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announced this week that it is honoring several legislators for their work in passing laws that support socially responsible businesses.

Rep. Sarah Buxton from Tunbridge and Sen. David Zuckerman from Hinesburg are the recipients of VBSR’s Legislator of the Year Awards. The organization will also give a Lifetime Achievement Award to Sen. Sally Fox, who passed away earlier this year.

Buxton was instrumental in leading the effort to pass a bill to bring universal prekindergarten services to Vermont. As the face of the campaign during the 2013-2014 biennium, Buxton was successful in making the case that investing in early childhood education pays off in a stronger future workforce and in reduced social services costs.
“A high quality educational system is essential to building a strong future workforce,” said Pat Heffernan, the president of Marketing Partners and a long-time VBSR Board member. “As a member of the House Education Committee, Rep. Buxton never wavered in making the case that this investment is good for Vermont children and our economy.”

Zuckerman, an organic farmer, has worked more than 15 years to bring transparency to Vermont’s food system. The strong endorsement by the Vermont Senate this year on a bill requiring the labeling of genetically engineered food is a testament to his ability to build strong coalitions and pass meaningful legislation.

“The passage of the nation’s first ‘no strings attached’ GMO labeling bill positions Vermont on the forefront of a growing movement, that through transparency seeks better, healthier, and more locally produced food,” said Chris Miller, activism manager at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and vice-chair of VBSR’s Board.  “The passage of Act 120, with its powerful corporate opponents, is testament to David’s adept legislative skill and his ability to work across aisles.”

Fox, a Chittenden County state senator, will be honored with a special VBSR Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of dedication to making Vermont a better place to live and work. During her time at the Vermont Statehouse, Fox was a passionate advocate for the poor, disabled, and disenfranchised. She also worked as VBSR’s lobbyist in the early 2000s. Her husband, Sen. Michael Sirotkin, will accept the award on her behalf.
“Sally was part of VBSR’s family,” said Andrea Cohen, executive director of the organization. “She was a tireless advocate for those things that make Vermont special, such as safe and clean communities that support people and families. Vermont and the world are better because of her passion and hard work. We will be forever indebted to this outstanding woman.”

Registration is now open for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility’s (VBSR) 22nd Annual Fall Conference. The daylong conference will take place Wednesday, November 19, at the Grand Summit Resort at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont. VBSR’s largest southern Vermont event will feature keynote speaker Allison Hooper, Co-Founder of the Vermont Creamery, six workshops, 35 exhibitors, a plenary panel on Vermont’s health care system, and the presentation of VBSR’s annual Legislator of the Year Awards. Last year, the conference drew over 225 attendees to Bennington County.

Registration on or before November 18 is $95 for VBSR members and $125 for non-members. Rates for day-of registration are $115 and $135, respectively. Fulltime students can take advantage of a discounted registration rate of $40. Online registration, complete conference agenda, workshop details, and information on how to exhibit at the conference can be found at http://www.vbsr.org Carpo.oling is encouraged.

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Founded in 1990, VBSR is a non-profit, statewide business trade organization with a mission to advance business ethics that value multiple bottom lines: economic, social, and environmental. VBSR members employ more than 13% of Vermont’s workforce and generate more than 4 billion dollars in revenue annually. We strive to help members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human and economic environments of the state’s residents, while remaining profitable. We advance VBSR’s mission through education, public influence and workplace quality. http://www.vbsr.org