(Feb. 22, 2010) - From his leadership on a job-creating telecom reform bill to his efforts at championing broadband access in rural areas, Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Lafayette) has boldly carried on the Hoosier technology quest once led by the late David Ford.

For that reason, Hershman has been selected as the first recipient of the Sen. David Ford Legislator Award presented by ATAIN, an acronym for “Access Technology Across Indiana.” This consortium of research institutions promotes scientific advances and developments, facilitating their transfer to industry.

John Schneider, president of ATAIN, said Hershman was a good choice for many reasons.

“This award is in honor of the late Senator Ford and recognizes legislators who have demonstrated strong support for research and technology and who have a servant’s heart,” Schneider said. “Sen. Hershman is easy to talk to, accessible, and always a strong supporter of using technology to improve Indiana.”

Ford - who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008 - was considered by many to be one of the Indiana General Assembly’s strongest advocates for technology advancement. Schneider said the award honors Ford in two of the best ways possible - by celebrating people in the legislature who exhibit a “servant’s heart” and by giving a monetary award to a school in Ford’s memory. Hershman has said he’d like his prize sent to Purdue University.

“We all respected David Ford,” Schneider said. “He was always there for us. When he passed away, we decided the best way to honor his legacy was giving an award like this to someone who shared his passion for technology and public service.”

Schneider said Hershman was nominated for the award by Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne).

“I’m humbled to receive this award which bears the name of a great colleague and ambassador of progress for our state,” Hershman said. “I am heartened by the progress we’ve made in recent years and determined to build on that success so that Indiana may continue to grow as a technology leader.”

Thanks to a law championed by Hershman, Indiana is one of four states participating in a federal program aimed at increasing Internet access and use through better data collection and broadband planning.

A $1.2 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will help Indiana, California, North Carolina and Vermont collect and verify statewide broadband information.

According to the Indiana Telecommunications Association, Hershman’s work in 2006 on a telecom reform bill deregulating Indiana’s telecommunications industry has sparked significant mobile broadband expansion across the state. Statistics cited by the association show the law has resulted in $1.5 billion in new capital investments for Indiana; created more than 2,150 jobs and provided up to a 20 percent in cost savings to cable subscribers.