Everyone loves to be thanked, and politicians are no different.  In fact, for most of them, it’s a nice break from only hearing people complain.

We're not talking about the over the top ("and I would like to thank...") thank-you's at your average Hollywood awards ceremony, but some simple recognition of people who have been especially helpful.

Awards are a great low-cost / high-return way to say thanks to elected officials that have been helpful.  And politicians love awards, because they give them something they can show to important constituents back home; which means that they’re excellent tools for building relationships and rewarding deserving legislators.