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Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress was established in 2019 to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency of Congress. As a truly bipartisan committee, with equal representation from both parties, it has been instrumental in addressing crucial areas like staff recruitment, office budgeting, technology integration, and more. Under the leadership of Chair Derek Kilmer and Vice Chair William Timmons, the committee successfully introduced 202 recommendations, all of which received unanimous approval. To date, more than 130 of these reforms have been implemented, making Congress more accessible and responsive to the American people.
Since his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, Representative Kilmer has distinguished himself as one of the most effective members of the U.S. House. For four years, he led the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to achieve significant strides toward making Congress work better for Americans. Recognized by the Washington Post as one of the top five Democrats able to pass impactful legislation, Representative Kilmer currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and its subcommittees on Interior & Environment, Defense, and Energy & Water.
Born and raised in Port Angeles, he dedicated his career to advancing the region’s economy, strengthening the middle class, supporting troops and veterans, ensuring quality education for children, honoring commitments to seniors, and protecting the region’s natural heritage.
Representative Timmons entered Congress in 2019 with a commitment to bring real reform to Washington, D.C. In Congress, William is a voice for Upstate residents as a member of the Financial Services Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. He served as Vice Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, playing a key role in making the Federal government more transparent and accountable.
Representative Timmons’ experience as a prosecutor and small business owner inspired him to run for public office. As a state senator, he fought for accountability and transparency in Columbia, SC. William is a lifelong member of Christ Church in Greenville and serves as a JAG Officer and Captain in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
The Freedom Award was established by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society to celebrate individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions towards a better understanding and appreciation of freedom, as symbolized by the U.S. Capitol and Congress. The award was first presented on September 17, 1993, marking the 200th anniversary of the laying of the U.S. Capitol cornerstone by George Washington in 1793. Named after the statue atop the Capitol Dome, the Freedom Award is presented annually as a tribute to the recipients’ unwavering commitment to freedom, democracy, and representative government. Past honorees include Bob Dole, John Lewis, Cokie Roberts, Ken Burns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and many others.
Founded in 1962, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society has proudly worked to preserve and share the history of the Capitol, the Congress, and the people who work therein. As a nonpartisan, educational 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Society was chartered by Congress in 1978, in part, “to foster and increase an informed patriotism.” In service of this mission, the Society conducts historical tours of the Capitol Building, hosts both virtual and in-person public history programming, publishes scholarly research in various aspects of Capitol History, coordinates a digital civics education resource hub for teachers, manages a renowned civics education field trip program for Title I D.C. public school students, and commissions works of fine art for the Capitol collections.
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