2011 Sammies Honor Extraordinary Americans

The 2011 Sammie Awards were held last night in Chicago.

CHICAGO – Tonight, the Sam Adams Alliance (SAM) announced the winners of the 4th annual Sammies awards. Nearly 400 guests, including John Stossel, Andrew Breitbart, and Brad Thor, took part in the celebration of ordinary Americans who take extraordinary steps to advance freedom. The winners from across the country were recognized for their engagement as watchdogs, reformers, messengers, and strategists.

“Once again, the Sammies brought together the freedom lovers and freedom fighters who love their country and, in their way, engage to advance our freedom,” said Yvonne Ralsky, executive director of SAM. “The winners tonight would make Sam Adams proud. They are creative, strategic, impactful, and tenacious.”

Winners of 2011 Sammies Awards:

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. AG Cuccinelli won the Public Servant Award for challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law. Two days after it was passed, he sued the federal government over the individual mandate, and on December 13, 2010, a federal district court ruled the mandate unconstitutional. AG Cuccinelli is currently seeking to expedite a review of the health care law past appellate courts and onto the Supreme Court.

Tim Eyman, of Mukilteo, WA. Mr. Eyman won the $20,000 Modern Day Sam Adams Award for his lifetime commitment to using the ballot initiative process to shrink the size of government in Washington State. Most recently, he passed an initiative requiring tax increases be passed by 2/3 majority vote, and fee increases be passed by a majority vote. He also successfully waged a campaign to require a public vote on the installation of red light cameras in his hometown of Mukilteo, WA.

Toby Marie Walker of Waco, TX. Ms. Walker won the $10,000 Rookie of the Year Award for her work with the Waco Tea Party–one of the most thriving, creative, and impactful grassroots groups in the country. Toby has consistently rallied the residents of her community to engage and keep elected officials accountable through her tireless efforts, day in and day out. Her activism has been featured on NPR, the BBC, and in the New York Times.

Ben Domenech of Alexandria, VA. Mr. Domenech along with Brad Jackson of Austin, TX won the $10,000 Messenger Award for their original and popular daily podcast, Coffee and Markets. With over 5,000 downloads each day, Coffee and Markets has quickly become one of the most widely listened podcasts on the right.

Brad Jackson, of Austin, TX. Mr. Jackson along with Ben Domenech of Alexandria, VA won the $10,000 Messenger Award for their original and popular daily podcast, Coffee and Markets. With over 5,000 downloads each day, Coffee and Markets has quickly become one of the most widely listened podcasts on the right.

Jason Gillman of Traverse City, MI. Mr. Gillman along with the late Chetly Zarko won the $10,000 Watchdog Award for their work in uncovering evidence of a fake “Tea Party” that was set to run in 24 toss-up races across Michigan. Because of their work, the Michigan Supreme Court removed the fake “Tea Party” from the ballot and the individuals behind the scheme, two local Democratic Party officials, were charged with election fraud.

Brian Aitken of Hoboken, NJ. Mr. Aitken won the $10,000 Reformer Award for making a courageous stand against New Jersey’s draconian gun laws. Arrested for illegal firearm possession, Brian refused to accept a plea bargain on principle and was sentenced to 7 years in prison. After he and his family conducted a successful, multifaceted media campaign, Governor Chris Christie commuted his sentence to time served and refused to reappoint the judge. Brian’s ordeal has brought widespread attention New Jersey’s unjust gun laws, building momentum for their repeal.

For a complete list of finalists, please visit www.samadamsalliance.org/programs/sammies/the-finalists.aspx.

Here’s a list of this year’s sponsors:

I didn’t win a prize but a friend and reader gave me this cool T-shirt.

It says, “Thank You Waukesha.”
Can’t wait to wear at my next union protest.

#1 April 9, 2011 at 11:56 am
donh commented:

It is so nice to see this high calibre of genuine good Americans receiving honor and recognition in a society that pays far too much attention to the Charlie Sheens of this world.
#2 April 9, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Greg commented:

Jim,
My guess is that your award awaits in Heaven, where those who “stood upon the watchtower” and warned against this Godless administration and it’s evil cunning policies. What greater reward could there be than to hear your Creator say to you “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
#3 April 9, 2011 at 12:53 pm
AuntieMadder commented:

I’m proud to see Texas wall represented among the winners.
#4 April 9, 2011 at 12:54 pm
AuntieMadder commented:

#3 April 9, 2011 at 12:53 pm
AuntieMadder commented:
I’m proud to see Texas wall represented among the winners.

That should read: I’m proud to see Texas well represented among the winners.
#5 April 9, 2011 at 1:09 pm
StrangernFiction commented:

Mark Levin and Dick Morris on the budget deal:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/mark-levin-on-budget-deal-this-is-a-historic-scam/

http://www.vote.com/mmp_printerfriendly.php?id=2684
#6 April 9, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Jennifer commented:

Cheers to the winners!

And Jim…thanks so much for the blogging that you do, you keep us informed in a world where the MSM tries hard to hide reality.
#7 April 9, 2011 at 1:51 pm
gus commented:

As a Waukesha County resident. I salute you Jim!!!
#8 April 9, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Gravelyvoice Jim commented:

The OTHER Republican sell-out (besides the budget) that goes unreported:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama

Notice the (lack of) Republican opposition in the vote column…
#9 April 9, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Ginger commented:

Greg….Ditto
#10 April 9, 2011 at 2:12 pm
nhale commented:

Well, if that’s not the freaks’ roll-call…
#11 April 9, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Chisum commented:

I thought we had a policy about drive-by trolls?

You know, the ones who drop by, squat and then leave.
#12 April 9, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Greg commented:

“I thought we had a policy about drive-by trolls?

You know, the ones who drop by, squat and then leave.”

You will have to excuse nhale on this one because they left the”I” off the front by mistake. In time it may need to also be changed to “Inhell”.
#13 April 9, 2011 at 2:35 pm
bg commented:

Congrats!!

btw, they forgot the comma..

==
#14 April 9, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Rose commented:

I love it – thanks to the Friend and Reader. Great! Well Done! Major Mega Kudos!
#15 April 9, 2011 at 4:34 pm
bg commented:

++

a tad OT..

Where Have All the Anti-Globalists Gone?

[Thank God for the NH Tea Party! At least they showed up!!!

Had I not seen it for myself, I would not have believed it had anyone told
me that the anti-globalist protesters stayed home from that quaint little
remaking-of-the-world George Soros gathering this weekend at Bretton
Woods.]

==
#17 April 9, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Jim Hoft commented:

Thank you Greg and Jennifer for the kind words. It was a great time last night and Andrew Breitbart gave a great speech.
#18 April 9, 2011 at 6:24 pm
daryl commented:

Spent many hours connecting control wiring to huge “Waukasha” (built in Waukasha, Wisconsin as I understand it) cooling tower fan drive engines back in the day. They build a great piece of equipment and I always enjoyed working with the factory reps (nice folks) when it came time to fire them up for the first time, but none of them ever liked Texas weather.
#19 April 9, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Marooned in Marin commented:

Holy cow, I’ve been in Chicago the last few days and if I’d known about this, I’d have stopped by.