The purpose of this award is to recognize a member of Congress whose leadership policy guidance and legislative efforts have contributed to significant advancements in the science engineering application education and/or commerce of imaging and geospatial information. The Award commends the recipient for contributing to how imaging and geospatial information and technology can benefit the Nation and society.
The Award consists of a plaque containing an image of the Awardee’s district or state the Awardee’s name a description of the Award and some specific accomplishments of the Awardee if appropriate. The awardee will also have an opportunity to address the ASPRS membership.
A presentation on imaging and geospatial information will be made to a school or college from his/her district or state. The Awardee will select the school or college and the ASPRS Region associated with the Awardee’s district or state will make the presentation.
The award is given as often as the selection committee deems a candidate is suitable for the award but not more than once annually. Eligibility to receive the Award is restricted to incumbent Senators or Representatives.
The selection committee may propose nominations and may solicit nominations from the general membership and/or the ASPRS Divisions and Regions. No application is required by eligible individuals or nominated candidates.
To nominate candidates and select the recipient the Committee considers the following factors:
- Leadership on imaging and geospatial information issues;
- Sustained demonstrated support of imaging and geospatial information activities and the geospatial information community;
- Encouragement and support for activities policy and legislation that fosters improved imaging and geospatial research engineering applications education and/or commerce;
- Encouragement and support for activities policy and legislation beyond a candidate’s district or state that assists the imaging and geospatial community to better serve the Nation and society;
- Support for policies and activities that stimulate the availability of imagery and geospatial data the commercial use and public and private sector application of imagery and data and the development of primary and secondary economies from use of imagery and data;
- Leadership on outlining the national interests in imaging and geospatial information and technology clarifying the proper role of government in the field and insuring democratic goals of equitable control access and benefits; and,
- Leadership on government’s responsibility to focus on the long-term social good that imaging and geospatial information can provide.
The Committee avoids the consideration of the candidate’s values political opinions and positions on issues aside from imaging and geospatial information issues.