The Heritage Foundation presented three special awards at its annual President’s Club Meeting in December.
 
Heritage honored U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., with its first Distinguished Intern Alumni Award. Cotton is the first person to receive the award, but one of thousands of former Heritage interns who have gone on to successful careers in government, academia, public policy, and the private sector.
 
With its Distinguished Intern Alumni Award, Heritage recognizes an exceptional young conservative and encourages all of its former interns to use what they learn during their time at Heritage to reclaim America.
 
John Lehman of Naples, Florida, received the Coors, Noble, Scaife Founders Award, given in recognition of his charitable organization’s support of Heritage for more than 35 years.
 
“Lehman’s story is one of hard work, prudence, and making the most of the opportunities that exist in this great country,” said Heritage Group Vice President for Development John Fogarty, who presented Lehman with the award. “We want to recognize John Lehman because throughout his quiet and industrious career, he sent Heritage a modest contribution each year. Every year since 1981.”
 
Karen Wright of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was recognized with the George Washington Generations Yet Unborn Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to Heritage's work and to the future of our country. Wright is the president and CEO of the Ohio-based manufacturer, Ariel Corp.

The Heritage Foundation’s George Washington Generations Yet Unborn Award recognizes those who, like America’s first president, are concerned with securing the blessings of liberty for future generations. By providing the equipment necessary for tapping into America’s vast natural gas reserves, Wright is ensuring that future generations will have access to abundant, affordable energy, and a vibrant economy.
 
“We really are blessed with an extraordinary family of supporters and alumni here at The Heritage Foundation,” said Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint. “We couldn’t be more grateful.”
 
Based in Washington, D.C., The Heritage Foundation is the nation’s most broadly supported public policy research institute. It has more than a half-million individual, foundation and corporate donors, and accepts no government funding or contract work.