Washington, DC…Rep. Tom McClintock, CA-04, has been recognized as a “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation for consistently supporting public policy priorities important to the retail industry and its millions of small businesses. The awards were presented as small retailers across the country gathered in Washington for NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit.

“Retailers and consumers are feeling good about the state of the U.S. economy, and a big part of that is the result of lawmakers who have made economic growth and job creation a top priority,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As a Hero of Main Street, Rep. Tom McClintock truly understands that the decisions made in Washington have a real impact on local businesses and communities across the country.”

The overwhelming majority of retailers are small businesses, with more than 98 percent of all retail companies employing fewer than 50 people.

“I have worked throughout my career to reduce taxes and regulations on small businesses. I am happy to receive this award, but the real heroes are the business owners who work long, hard hours every day. They employ people and help to create strong communities in the Fourth Congressional District,” McClintock said.

The Hero of Main Street award was created by NRF in 2013, and eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance retailers’ priorities. Recipients have supported policies that recognize the contributions of the retail industry, and have worked to encourage a “vibrant, sustained and healthy” retail sector.

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association. Based in Washington, D.C., NRF represents discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.

Earlier this year, Congressman McClintock was awarded the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.