WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA) as Legislator of the Year for 2011-2012. Representative Kingston receives the award in conjunction with todays BIO Legislative Day Fly-In reception.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees the Department of Agriculture, FDA, and related agencies, Representative Kingston has provided thoughtful and responsive leadership on issues vitally important to our nation, said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.As a champion of Americas biotechnology industry, he has helped to protect funding for programs essential to the survival of biotechnology companies across the United States.

The life science industry in Georgia provides a $23 billion annual economic impact and provides jobs for over 105,000 people.Representative Kingston has demonstrated his understanding of this industry's importance through his words and his actions, said Charles Craig, President of GeorgiaBio.We thank Representative Kingston for his outstanding leadership and dedication to supporting the innovative capacity and job creating potential of American life science companies, and we congratulate him on receiving this award.

More than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 41 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with Members of the House and Senate during the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry including reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the Transforming the Regulatory Environment to Accelerate Access to Treatments (TREAT) Act/Faster Access to Specialized Treatments (FAST) Act, adequate reimbursement for vital therapies under Medicare, and capital formation issues relevant to biotechnology companies.

Photos of the award presentation are available upon request.

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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Representative Kingston Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year