Washington, D.C. — On Capitol Hill today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored 239 Members of Congress with the annual Spirit of Enterprise Award for supporting pro-business policies during the second session of the 111th Congress.

“These hard working men and women on Capitol Hill give American businesses good reason to feel optimistic,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “Today we salute Members who have consistently demonstrated their staunch support for pro-growth policies that will allow businesses to begin to hire again.”

The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise award, in its 23nd year, has been given annually to Members of Congress based on key business votes outlined in the Chamber’s yearly publication, How They Voted. Those Members of Congress who support the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes qualify to receive the award.

The Chamber scored Congress on 11 Senate and 9 House votes in 2010, including passage of a tax rate extension, health care reform, financial services reform, and legislation to promote science and math education.

To view a complete list of the 2010 Spirit of Enterprise recipients, please visit www.uschamber.com/soe.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.