RI HOUSE REPUBLICAN DEPUTY WHIP SHERRY ROBERTS RECIPIENT OF PRESTIGIOUS J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF PILLAR OF FREEDOM AWARD

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State House, Providence, RI – The Center for Freedom and Prosperity today presented Rhode Island House Republican Deputy Whip Sherry Roberts with the J. William Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award at the Ocean State Freedom Banquet.

The J. William Middendorf Freedom Award, named after former Republican United States diplomat, Secretary of the Navy, and current Heritage Foundation board member, is presented to a nominee who has a record of achievement in one or more of the following areas: 1) entrepreneurial or free market business leadership; 2) civic engagement; 3) record of philanthropic giving or charitable organization volunteerism; or 4) to a legislator based on their voting history in preserving individual and constitutional freedoms.

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity’s 2019 award is presented to Roberts as a “stalwart defender of conservative values” since her first term in the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014.  “Early in her career, Roberts partnered with the Center and earned praise for her defense of the rights of property owners and her passionate advocacy against the RhodeMapRI scheme. Now in her third-term in the General Assembly, she has emerged as one of Rhode Island’s most consistent defenders of freedom – consistently ranking as one of the top voting lawmakers in the state when it comes to protecting our individual and economic freedoms.”

In 2019, Roberts was the #1 ranked and highest scoring member in the entire 113-person General Assembly on the Center’s annual Freedom Index and Legislator Scorecard.  In 2018, Roberts was the highest scoring member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be a recipient of this most coveted award,” said Roberts in her remarks at the Freedom Banquet.  “Thank you, Mike Stenhouse and the RI Center for Freedom and Prosperity, for recognizing my legislative contributions and voting record.  This recognition means the world to me – especially since I had the privilege of working alongside Ambassador Middendorf in retaining the ROTC program at Coventry High School.  Receiving an award named in his honor is truly special.”

“Many hours of hard work goes into researching policies and verifying the impacts hundreds of submitted bills have on taxpayers across Rhode Island --and especially my neighbors and the constituents in my district,” said Roberts. “My voice, and the voices of my legislative colleagues in the Rhode Island House Republican Caucus, are important.  The number of bills we encounter on Smith Hill that erode our liberties is on the rise and we need to be steadfast in our resolve to debate these issues.” 
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“We offer fact-based rebuttal and common sense solutions to combat the special interests and to counter the knee-jerk legislation submitted year after year,” said Roberts. “It is incumbent on us, as your representatives, to make sure that our government provides efficient services, offers transparency, and that we call out bad legislation when we see it.” 

“I want to thank the Center for supporting our efforts with research and data, which help us in our efforts to preserve individual and constitutional freedoms.”  
“I also wish to thank and recognize my co-recipient, Senator Elaine Morgan, for her energy on the Senate side of the General Assembly.  Together, we are working hard on your behalf.” 

Mike Stenhouse, CEO Center for Freedom & Prosperity presents 2019 Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award to Rhode Island House Representative Sherry Roberts.

Representative Sherry Roberts meets Freedom Banquet keynote speaker Sean Spicer, former Communications Director White House Press Secretary.

Rhode Island House Republican Leader Blake Filippi, on behalf of the House Republican Caucus, congratulates Representative Sherry Roberts for her steadfast efforts to protect individual and constitutional freedoms here in the Ocean State.  Center for Freedom & Prosperity CEO Mike Stenhouse joins in the recognition.

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​​The Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Caucus (Republican) is comprised of the following elected members representing constituents who live in the following districts throughout the Ocean State:  Minority Leader, Blake Filippi, District 36 (Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham); Minority Whip, Michael Chippendale, District 40 (Foster, Glocester, Coventry); Representative John Lyle, Jr., District 46 (Lincoln, Pawtucket); Representative George Nardone, District 28 (Coventry); Representative Brian Newberry, District 48 (North Smithfield, Burrillville);  Representative David Place, District 47 (Burrillville, Glocester); Senior Deputy Minority Leader Justin Price, District 39 (Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond); Deputy Minority Leader Robert Quattrocchi, District 41 (Scituate, Cranston); Deputy Whip Sherry Roberts, District 29 (Coventry, West Greenwich).