(Washington, D.C.) – Wednesday night, the Republican Main Street Partnership hosted its annual Chafee Dinner – named for former Rhode Island Senator John Chafee (R).  Former Governor Jock McKernan (R-ME) was master of ceremonies for this year’s dinner, which was headlined by Chafee Award winners Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).  “Main Street was proud to present Senators Coleman and Collins with our Chafee Award for their leadership on issues of critical importance to centrist Republicans across the nation,” said current President and CEO of the Partnership and former U.S. Representative Charles F. Bass (R-NH).  “Washington needs more leaders like Senators Coleman and Collins – elected officials who emphasize a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to governing.” 

Senator Coleman was presented the Chafee Award by Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN).  “I am thrilled to receive the John Chafee Award which recognizes the importance of promoting and achieving a Republican agenda that resonates on America’s Main Street,” Senator Coleman said.  “In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to recall John Chafee’s legacy of reaching out and expanding the number of individuals and organizations who share our core Republican ideals.” 

Senator Collins was presented the Chafee Award by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME).  “Senator John Chafee defined distinguished public service and a political tradition I am proud to share,” said Senator Collins.  “It is a tradition of standing strong for personal freedom and for fiscal responsibility, for government that is as unintrusive in people’s lives as it can be, yet compassionate and involved when it must be.  Our centrist tradition is one of commitment and integrity.  It is a tradition that rejects the practice of using problems to divide our nation, but instead brings us together to meet the challenges that confront us.” 

“Main Street was proud to honor two of the finest members of Congress and we look forward to continuing to work with members of both parties to find practical solutions to the challenges facing American families, seniors and taxpayers,” concluded Bass. 

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The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) is dedicated to promoting and building a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive “Governing Majority,” where political debate is encouraged to promote solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Embracing the full spectrum of center-right ideologies and values in order to build coalitions, RMSP is the largest organization of elected leaders who are in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. For more information on RMSP, visit our website at www.republicanmainstreet.org.